In the summer kids are supposed to be able to run around outside and play. But this recent rain is keeping them off the sports fields, and it seems like it will continue to do so.
During the summer, many programs host baseball camps for kids in Tuscaloosa county. But the recent rainfall has made it difficult for kids to play on the field and run around
“Y’know, weather’s something I learned a long time ago you can’t control it. You just try to work around it,” said Shelton State Community College head baseball coach Bobby Sprowl.
Due to Monday’s rain, Shelton State Community College pushed the start of their baseball camp back a day.
This was one of many changes Shelton State has planned to make because of the weather.
“We’ll take them underneath our cages or indoors to let them hit, so we usually put some of that stuff off til a little later in the day. And we’ll go over pitching somewhere along the line, which we can do inside if we have to and then bring them outside later and throw,” said Sprowl.
Even if the rain stops, that does not guarantee kids can immediately run out and play on the fields.
Organizations and programs have to take certain steps to ensure their fields are safe.
“Y’know, in order to get them playable again after, it depends on how much it rains. But if it’s more then about half an inch, you got to make sure there’s not standing water on the field, and then rake them up, let them get a chance to dry out with some sun hopefully, put some field dry on the roughest spots and make sure it’s safe to play on,” said Warrior Baseball treasurer Ross Grimes.
This season Warrior Baseball has had to use 5,000 pounds of field dry because of all of the rain.
This summer’s constant rain has cancelled games, moved camps, and ruined fields. And with the possibility of more storms, it’s far from over.
However Grimes says luckily the plan for Kentuck’s new turf fields should be able to help with the rain problem in the future.
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