YP Softball and Hockey Associations and the District Council of the Copper Coast are working on fixing water problems that have caused a dry and uneven pitch at Kadina and, in turn, two serious injuries. The first came when Tess Newbery, of Wallaroo, broke her ankle sliding into base in the first game of the season, on Saturday, October 10.

Those in both associations have acknowledged the problem for a few years now, but two serious injuries to start the softball season have some in the association worried it could lead to reduced player numbers.

“We’ve had issues with hot weather causing problems with the pipes that run from the ponds to our storage facility, but council is rectifying it,” said Scott Mercer, of the HockSoft Facility Fund, a hockey/softball liaison body that manages the grounds.

“The hydraulic system we have at the moment is from the mid 1990s and is outdated.

“Heat and soil movement has caused problems with the system’s capillary tubes and with our current solenoid system, we have banks of sprinklers coming on and staying on, say 18 sprinklers, and when the others try to come on, there isn’t enough pressure.

“As a result, we get some parts of the fields flooded and others completely dry.

“We’re organising an irrigation expert to upgrade the system by putting in an electromechanical solenoid system that would bring softball and hockey in line with all DCCC parks.”

Impact on softball and hockey

Mr Mercer says with only some of the Kadina field being watered, it has made uneven surfaces for hockey and a turf like concrete for softball.

“In softball you need good grass coverage to make it better for people to slide into base,” he said.

“At the moment, it’s like sliding on concrete, you end up with skin off your knees and skin off your elbows.”

An ambulance was called to the field two out of the first five weeks softball was played this season, due to one player breaking an ankle and another her arm.

“These accidents are unfortunate, but we’re very safety conscious,” Mr Mercer said.

“That’s one of the reasons we installed our backstops and dugouts a few years ago.

“We don’t want people thinking it’s too dangerous, these injuries aren’t necessarily due to the pitch condition, but it does need to improve.

“Watering only in certain areas also causes the surface to become uneven, which can cause fly-balls in hockey which are also a safety concern,” he added.

Council consulted

DCCC Mayor Paul Thomas has spoken with Mr Mercer and YP Softball’s Kathy Cattuzzo about the water issue.

“We’re currently looking to see what exactly the problem is and then to see what can be done about it, but it is still too early to say when it will be resolved,” Mr Thomas said.

“YP Softball has identified the problem is to do with their sprinklers, so we now need to get a professional in to look at it, and we can decide what happens from there.

“The grounds belong to council and are managed through the Copper Coast Sport and Leisure Centre.

“We are looking to fix the problem as the community group approached us, and it is a community need,” he said.