Man Sues City Over Hole In Ball Field At Eastern Queens Park

FRESH MEADOWS, QUEENS — Jeremy Rosario was playing softball in Cunningham Park on a spring day this May when he ran from the outfield to catch a fly ball.

As he tried to catch the ball, however, his left foot got stuck in a deep hole on the field, causing him to fall and fracture his collar bone.

The injury required immediate emergency surgery, and left Rosario incapacitated. He wasn’t able to leave his home, except for doctor’s visits, and couldn’t shower or get dressed by himself, according to a lawsuit filed on Monday against the city and the Park’s Department.

And, to add insult to injury, the hole in the Eastern Queens park is still there as of Sept. 23 — over four months after Rosario was originally hurt.

Photos of the hole, partially covered by grass, which presumably makes it more dangerous, are attached to the suit.

In New York, suits against city agencies usually have to be filed 90 days after an incident happens — or within a “reasonable” time after, as determined by the court.

Although this incident happened about five months ago, Rosario wasn’t able to file earlier because of his injuries, making his Oct. 11 filing within the realm of a “reasonable” timeline, his lawyer says in the suit — especially since the hole is still in the field.

A spokesperson from the Parks Department told Patch that the agency cannot comment on pending litigation.