By Marshall Tempest
Reporter
Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) confirmed Monday that Apopka’s baseball and softball complexes were ready for the scheduled home games starting Tuesday, March 25, but problems would arise throughout the week with each complex.
Apopka had to cancel its junior varsity baseball game on Tuesday when the lighting at J. Barnes Field failed to function properly. OCPS and Apopka High School personnel were working all day Tuesday to get the lights to work, but to no avail. The varsity game was moved up to 5 p.m. in order to play the game before sundown.
The baseball scoreboard also was not working, because the antenna is broken and can’t receive signals from the game scorers.
The softball field’s scoreboard was also not working as of Wednesday, March 26, although the lights are functional. Head softball coach Mike MacWithey said that JV will be the first team to play at home on Thursday, while varsity is set to at home Friday against Windermere.
The softball team played its first 10 games of the season on the road, posting a stellar 8-2 record. The baseball team played 14 straight road games to start the season and compiled an 8-6 record.
Apopka’s first home game came a week after Rory Salimbene, the school district’s acting chief facilities officer, told The Apopka Chief he was hopeful the fields would be ready after spring break, pending final inspections and approvals. Those were ultimately secured, and Salimbene advised Apopka High School staff on Friday, March 21, that all future home contests for the baseball and softball teams could proceed as scheduled.
As of spring break, several items needed to be finished before both complexes were deemed safe and ready for use, including final electrical inspection and occupancy certification at the baseball complex. The softball complex also needed to pass its final building and site inspection.
Even though the complexes are ready for use, some outstanding questions and problems with the baseball complex remain unaddressed. One of the more significant issues with the Apopka baseball complex is its lack of foul ball netting. Salimbene said the district will have to install the net after the season ends.
Another issue among baseball parents was the design inconsistencies between the home and away dugouts. The two dugouts bear little resemblance, and Salimbene said last week that he would need to look into the issue.
The viewing window in the old concession stand of the baseball complex that allowed volunteers to watch the game while working was removed during the construction of the new complex. Parents asked if OCPS would be reinstalling the viewing window. Salimbene said he and OCPS have assessed that, and he needs to update the baseball families.
When I asked Salimbene for updates on those outstanding issues this week, he said they have not been fixed.
“I don’t have any updates on those items at this time,” he said. “We have been focused on getting occupancy permits for the facilities. We plan some improvements, but scope and timeline are to be determined.”
