A different perspective on HS softball facilities

[coolstuff]

Some of you who know me may have seen me at the various HS games riding in a wheelchair or gimping along with a walker. I broke my ankle on Feb. 15 and have been slowly recovering since.

My condition has caused me to judge various HS facilities, and the folks who are in charge, in a different way - from the perspective of a handicapped person. Some facilities are on top of it, but too many are not, and one in particular was hostile.

Most HS softball fields are a good walk from the parking lot. Even a "short walk" to a non-disabled person is a huge hurdle to a handicapped person. The reason for the location of the SB fields are easy to guess - baseball and football fields were installed years ago, the softball program was a relatively recent addition. Larger schools have concrete walkways. Smaller schools have gravel or worse. Handicapped parking varies. Some have two or three spots. When four games are going on at the same time (baseball V/JV and softball V/JV) the spots fill up fast. One school (who I shall name later) was so horrible in all aspects I can't believe they get away with it. Even a complex that a normally mobile person would say is a "great park" presents challenges to a handicapped person.

The best: Avon. Without me asking, the person at the ticket table radioed a golf cart to come and pick me up, and the cart was waiting for me when the game was over.

The worst: Noblesville. The parking lot is a long walk from the lot to the entrance, which is on top of a steep set of concrete stairs. When we saw that, I decidied I would rather sit in the car and miss the game than try to get inside. My wife went to the ticket booth and asked if there was some help available for handicapped persons, and was told (rudely) "No!" She went in the park, found an athletic trainer in a Gator, who got me in via a locked back gate.

Just about every school has some issues. Harrison: A long gravel walk on large gravel, and the parking is horrendous for all concerned. Twin Lakes: A long walk to the varsity field although it is concrete. A dirt path to the JV field (not kidding!). McCutcheon: (DD's school). Gravel inside the entrance. Handicapped parking is over by the soccer field entrance (!). Logansport: Terrible parking. No place for wheelchairs near the stands. Parking on a grassy knoll behind the stands is the best it gets. I could add about every HS we've been to as they all have one or two challenges.

I know we're talking about $$$ to get some of these problems solved. But there are althernatives. Additional and/or more convenient handicapped parking is a relatively inexpensive upgrade. And every complex should follow the Avon model and have a cart or Gator on hand to transport the handicapped.

And BTW, I can now put full weight on my ankle, and have started PT. I can get around with a cane but it is painful. Not looking forward to the long walk at the Harrison Sectionals tonight.

That's my .02 for the year.

[slapperdad]

Good points, that are many times taken for granted for most of us. I have noticed these issues myself, not for me, but for my aging parents who want to watch their grand daughter play. It pains me to see my dad struggling to make it to find a place to sit at some of these venues.

[smokenmirrors86]

Providing the chauffered ride is a nice touch. DD has played a couple of times at Lawrence Central during her career and both times we got to watch the AD herself drive elderly fans from their cars to the stands. After the game, AD returned to take the guests back to their vehicles. Kudos to her for taking time to show a little compassion. Or, maybe Avon and LC are the only schools with golf carts/Gators.

[supporter]

"The worst: Noblesville. The parking lot is a long walk from the lot to the entrance, which is on top of a steep set of concrete stairs. When we saw that, I decidied I would rather sit in the car and miss the game than try to get inside. My wife went to the ticket booth and asked if there was some help available for handicapped persons, and was told (rudely) "No!" She went in the park, found an athletic trainer in a Gator, who got me in via a locked back gate."

Totally agree!!! I have wondered about the safety of the fans and players because of the gate being locked. No one could get emergency equipment in that facility up the concrete stairs! Does their $5.00 gate fee mean so much that they must risk the health of players and fans????

[afastpitchfanatic]

Does their $5.00 gate fee mean so much that they must risk the health of players and fans????

Not only is Noblesville willing to risk safety over the gate fees, they're willing to do it for concession stand sales, too. Try a gatekeeper telling you no small cooler of water for your DD who's going to be catching on the farthest back diamond in 90+ degrees in July.

[slapperdad]

Does their $5.00 gate fee mean so much that they must risk the health of players and fans????

Not only is Noblesville willing to risk safety over the gate fees, they're willing to do it for concession stand sales, too. Try a gatekeeper telling you no small cooler of water for your DD who's going to be catching on the farthest back diamond in 90+ degrees in July.

I take water and occasionally Gatorade in a small cooler to virtually every venue. I have been questioned on it a few times, my response is ALWAYS do you have water for the players in the dugout? I have never not been allowed to take the cooler in. I may have hidden it under some equipment a time or two at Center Brooke.

Then there's the big cooler in the back of the truck.......

[zoidzoid]

I am the head coach at Noblesville. I certainly apologize for the difficulties experienced here! We actually do have a road and back gate that we specifically keep clear for emergency vehicles to pull right up to and even out onto the field. We don't use the road as our entrance for this reason and to keep people from parking on the road. This entrance is also reserved for individuals with a special need.....such as a broken ankle...to be driven right up to the field and avoid the long walk and stairs. I will pass these notes along to our staff and hopefully we can do a better job of being hospitable in the future!!! Thanks for the heads up!!!

Mike Ramsey

[dittoz]

Kudos to Mike !

[ETurner]

Does their $5.00 gate fee mean so much that they must risk the health of players and fans????

Not only is Noblesville willing to risk safety over the gate fees, they're willing to do it for concession stand sales, too. Try a gatekeeper telling you no small cooler of water for your DD who's going to be catching on the farthest back diamond in 90+ degrees in July.

You are obviously talking about a NSA controlled tournament, which has nothing to do with the High school.

Coolstuf - I have been to the Noblesville facility several times the past few years, and its always the same lady taking entrance fee. She is all of 4'11" and you cant hardly hear her when she speaks. So I think you might be exaggerating a little. Maybe if you would have called ahead they would have met you in the parking lot with a cart.

[afastpitchfanatic]

Does their $5.00 gate fee mean so much that they must risk the health of players and fans????

Not only is Noblesville willing to risk safety over the gate fees, they're willing to do it for concession stand sales, too. Try a gatekeeper telling you no small cooler of water for your DD who's going to be catching on the farthest back diamond in 90+ degrees in July.

You are obviously talking about a NSA controlled tournament, which has nothing to do with the High school.

Coolstuf - I have been to the Noblesville facility several times the past few years, and its always the same lady taking entrance fee. She is all of 4'11" and you cant hardly hear her when she speaks. So I think you might be exaggerating a little. Maybe if you would have called ahead they would have met you in the parking lot with a cart.

And your point is what? That because the high school isn't technically hosting the tournament, that my safety concern isn't valid? NSA isn't getting the gate fees. So if it isn't the high school, it's someone that they've allowed to use their property. In that case, I'm glad Mike is willing to make the board (or whoever) aware, so that this issue may be considered and/or addressed.

We have the same routine as Slapperdad. Small cooler to the field, big cooler in the trunk. Since I wasn't comfortable challenging the gatekeepers, my husband handled it. The cooler did go in. There were other's, however, who complied and complained about it at the field. Not a good idea for the players' safety. That's all I'm saying.