Opinion: Improvements needed at STHS softball field
Boards make it hard to see the action at South Tahoe High’s softball field from behind home plate. Photo/Provided
Publisher’s note: This letter was sent to Sheri Schimmel with High Sierra ASA. It is reprinted here with permission. It was also read earlier this month by Schimmel to the Lake Tahoe Unified School District board.
Dear Sheri,
Thank you for doing such a great job on the fields at the SLT high school (July 6). ASA is fortunate having you on their staff for their tournaments. You and your colleagues really worked hard.
The powers that be have made a lot of improvements on the field since we last played there. I do have a suggestion however. Is it possible to remove the top two boards behind home plate? I tried to set up a video camera but was able to get a good angle because of the height of the boards.
I also realized that if someone in a wheelchair wanted to sit behind the backstop they would not be able to see. It appears there is room behind the backstop for a row or two of seating and would be perfect for the elderly and handicapped.
I would appreciate it if you would forward a copy of this letter to the appropriate decision-makers regarding these suggestions.
Thanks again for your hard work regarding the tournament. We, at Scholars and Champions and Nevada Wildcats, look forward to participating in future tournaments on your fields.
Sincerely,
Joyce Herceg, Scholars and Champions board secretary
Remove all the boards and put seats in so you can see the field. Not rocket science look at the picture!!! Who was the designer?
ya know when I first saw this article I thought it was just about someone complaining about the field upgrades. After all, aren’t we doing enough for those with disabilities?
So I read it. Left it for a few hours, and I kept thinking about it. The American’s with Disabilities Act does have certain height requirements that have to be equal. For example CBC 1122.B.5. states that service counters (like what you see at the grocery stores) can not be higher than 34 inches, hence why you may see those little tables that pull out.
Whomever designed this backstop should have had some familiarity with the ADA as Buck points out its WAY too high. This is a serious problem as it leaves the schools, and other parties at risk for a liability as they have now been notified in a public source, this news site. After all it is the government’s mentality that if you touch one thing, EVERYTHING has to be brought up to code. Just ask any local business owner.
Now if the builders have some other equal access, then all bets are off.
Regardless kudos to you Joyce for pointing this out, now who gets to pay to fix this, if need be, or who gets to pay to certify that access is equal … if need be.