Sheldon, Iowa — In the aftermath of winter storm damage to the backstops at the Sheldon High school baseball and softball fields, school officials, players and fans thought the Orab home baseball games might have to be played elsewhere this season. But things have changed.
Orab Activities Director Eric Maassen explains.
Maassen says the repair is just to get them through the season until the permanent repairs can be made.
As for the repairs at the Sheldon Sports Complex, Maassen says there are a number of factors that are dictating when that repair can take place.
With the temporary repairs completed, Maassen says the Orab boys will host their opening JV-Varsity baseball double-header on Monday, May 20th, when they host the Spencer Tigers at Orab Field.
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Previous Post 7:58am, May 3, 2019
Sheldon Iowa — In a special meeting of the Sheldon School Board Wednesday evening the board approved recommendations from Superintendent Cory Myer for repairs to the baseball field and softball field, as well as the Sports Complex, made necessary by this past winter’s weather. With the needed repairs the Orab home baseball schedule may be in jeopardy.
We talked with Orab Activities Director Eric Maassen about the situation and found out that while the home opener will no doubt be moved that doesn’t mean there won’t be any home games this year.
Due to the timeline of the damage that occured the repair process could not be done any sooner that is.
Things look a little better on the softball side.
When the backstop fencing is replaced the viewing experience for the fans will be even better.
According to the Siouxland Conference web site the Orab baseball and softball home openers were originally scheduled for May 20th.
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Original post 10:26 am, May 2, 2019
Sheldon, Iowa — In a special meeting of the Sheldon School Board Wednesday evening the board approved recommendations from Superintendent Cory Myer for repairs to the baseball field and softball field, as well as the Sports Complex, made necessary by this past winter’s weather.
Myer told the board that ice and wind had damaged backstop fencing at both the baseball and softball fields. He told the board that Activities Director Eric Maassen had researched both fencing and netting options, and believes the netting system from Beacon Athletics is the best option to provide the safety and visibility necessary for both participants and spectators. As a result, Myer recommended to the board that they accept the quote from Beacon Athletics for engineering and materials for backstop netting systems for both the high school baseball and softball fields. That quote was $57,750, plus another thirty-thousand-dollars for installation by L&K for a project total of $87,750. Myer told the board that the district’s insurer, EMC Insurance will pay $77,842, leaving the district to pay just over ninety-nine-hundred dollars. The board approved the superintendent’s recommendation.
Myer also reported to the board about similar ice and wind damage to the backstop fencing at the joint City and School District Sports Complex along Highway 18. The board approved his recommendation to approve the quote from American Fence Company for the replacement of damaged chain link fence at the Sports Complex at a cost of $68,842. Myer says EMC Insurance will cover 100-percent of that cost.
