Player: Joe Herb fields’ uneven infield and baselines create safety risk

Lance Seber, who said he has played at Joe Herb Softball Fields for more than 30 years, told the Recreation and Park Commission that recent field conditions are unsafe and hinder players’ ability to run and field consistently. "The 3rd baseline ... was at least 2 feet off," Seber said, describing a soft, sand-like infield material that causes players' feet to slide and creates a trench near third base that deflects ground balls.

Seber outlined his view of the league's economics — "It cost $550 a team to play. There's 24 teams. You collected $13,200" — and asked the commission to consider reallocating funds to repair infield surfacing, mow outfields on game nights, and address batter's-box holes that form early in the evening. The commission chair and staff said they would refer the maintenance concerns to the appropriate staff and follow up; Commissioner request for a Joe Herb status update was granted for a future meeting in September.