Safer Dugouts To Be Built At WeHa Softball Fields

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Several youth softball fields at West Hartford parks will get much-needed safety improvements in the form of new dugouts that will provide safe refuge to girls rec league players.

The West Hartford Plan & Zoning Commission has approved two special permit applications from the town dealing with dugouts at local softball fields. Both votes were 4-0 in favor Feb. 12.

As a result, four well-used softball fields at the town's Sterling Athletic Field Complex, located at 425 Oakwood Ave., will get those new dugouts this year.

That application was submitted Jan. 3 and a public hearing Feb. 12 was closed with no major opposition to those plans.

Meanwhile, the softball field at Norfeldt Field, located at 1515 Boulevard, West Hartford, will also have dugouts constructed this year following unanimous PZC approval Feb. 12.

That application was also submitted Jan. 3 and subjected to a Feb. 12 public hearing that was quickly closed for zoning board action that night.

According to the West Hartford Department of Leisure Services, existing dugouts at both sites lack protective fencing and covers.

The department outlined several concerns about the old dugouts.

"The lack of fencing potentially allows players to leave the dugout areas without warning, and potentially allows errant balls to strike players," wrote the leisure services department in a project narrative regarding both applications.

"The benches are set into the natural ground, which creates bare spots and depressions under the benches. These depressions lead to puddling and muddy conditions after rain."

The primary league impacted is the West Hartford Girls Softball League, which organizes team play for approximately 200 girls aged 6 to 14.

Town officials said the league pointed out many of the issues to the town regarding the request to install new dugouts.

For the minutes of the Feb. 12 West Hartford Plan & Zoning Commission meeting, click on this link.

For the full project narrative by the West Hartford Department of Leisure Services, click on this link.