A series of wooden poles with safety netting attached has been rigged and, once extended, is ready to be deployed to protect youth soccer players, officials, and spectators from screaming foul balls at one of North Bay's busiest sports venues.
The absence of safety netting between the baseball diamond and the youth soccer pitch nearest to the overpass in Veterans Park caused the City to cease holding matches on the south end of Veterans Field for much of the 2023 summer season due to the danger of foul balls. City officials stressed no one had been hit but called the move precautionary.
See related: City moves youth soccer games due to foul ball fears
In recent seasons, youth soccer has taken over the pitch at the park and the City acknowledges it has led to some close calls from foul balls originating from the neighbouring baseball diamond. "There could be approximately 150 players and spectators sitting in the area where foul balls land," according to a staff report that originated in spring 2023.
"[In 2022], the risk of foul balls landing in the area around the youth soccer was identified due to the increased number of players and spectators in the area where foul balls could be hit. It was determined that an installation of baseball field safety netting between the baseball diamonds and the soccer field would reduce the risk of foul balls landing in the area where the youth soccer fields were located."
See also: Foul ball fears lead to approval of $130K in safety netting
In April, City Council acted on a staff recommendation and unanimously approved a $129,975 contract to Sport Systems Canada Inc. for the supply and installation of baseball field safety netting at Veterans Park. Moving the baseball diamond, renovated for $700,000 in recent years was not an option. Three years ago, the complex also received another $850,000 in new LED lighting.
Whereas adult soccer saw 22 players on the pitch plus officials, with spectators seated on bleachers nearest to the overpass, the danger from foul balls from the diamond has increased with three youth fields with 50-plus kids, coaches, and another 100 or so supporters are watching from just off the playing surfaces.
Early in June 2023, the City stopped using the south side of Veterans Field for youth soccer until the safety netting could be installed. That did not occur until late in 2023. Youth soccer programming continued on the north end of Veterans Field, which is farther from home plate. Some of the scheduled soccer matches moved to nearby ONR Field.
The installation of the netting was expected to be completed in late July or early August 2023 but supply chain issues prevented that.
"Staff has worked with North Bay Youth Soccer and Nipissing District Soccer Club to implement scheduling changes to help ensure player and spectator safety at Veterans Park pending the installation of the baseball safety netting," Gord Young, the communications officer for the City of North Bay told BayToday in June 2023. "We know this has caused inconveniences for user groups and we appreciate their cooperation and patience."
