Local
Sykesville Baseball weighs tournament changes after lights fail at Fairhaven field
Two light poles at Field 5 of the Fairhaven Baseball Complex have multiple lights out, prompting canceled games and concern about possible vandalism. A contractor is scheduled to inspect the fixtures as a tournament approaches in two weeks.
SYKESVILLE, Md. — Multiple lights have gone dark on two poles at Field 5 of the Fairhaven Baseball Complex, disrupting Sykesville Baseball games and raising concerns that the equipment may have been vandalized.
Sykesville Baseball president Lori Doyle said four or five lights are out on each pole. The pattern is unusual, she said, because a typical LED failure would affect one light at a time. The cause has not been confirmed.
The organization began investigating last week and canceled a game scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12. Laura Knight, whose son was due to play, said the game had been a chance for him to face a childhood friend.
“He was pretty bummed,” Knight said, describing the family’s plans to have dinner after the game. “It’s kind of unsettling because in Sykesville, you don’t really hear about anything like that.”
The complex experienced vandalism about a year earlier, Doyle said, when copper wiring was stolen. The current damage has already forced the organization to reschedule games, and Doyle said some games in a large tournament planned for two weeks later could be affected if repairs are not completed in time.
A contractor was scheduled to assess the lights Tuesday, Oct. 13. Sykesville Baseball leaders said they would decide what to do next after the inspection.
Knight said the disruptions are disappointing for the children who rely on the fields for games and activities. “It’s unfortunate, and the kids are suffering. It’s not fair,” she said.