“The police are there (Sunday), looking at everything and seeing what they can find out,” said Warren head baseball coach Andrew Morrison. “After that process, we can start getting some estimates on what needs fixed. I don’t have anything set up for donations or anything yet.”

The Conewango Township property has been a popular recreational park for years. Recently, it has been utilized by high school and community baseball and softball teams, as well as community members creating trails for walking and locations to fish. Warren Area High School’s varsity softball program has put in a lot of time and resources to improve a Conewango Township softball field, neighboring Legion Field — the full-size baseball field.

“The ties to the outfield fence and backstop screens were cut, grass seed was dumped all over the home dugout and spread all over the pitcher’s mound that we just completely redid,” said Morrison of Legion Field, the baseball field. “One of the benches from the dugout was taken and placed on the mound as well. The concession stand was damaged … as they clearly attempted to break in. The plastic surrounding the window is smashed and there are several marks on the window as they tried to break in, but were unable to do so. The light on the concession stand was smashed and the electric conduit was pulled out. We aren’t sure yet about the exact costs of damage. We are hopeful we got the grass seed off before it did any real damage, but the damage to the screens and consession stand is all permanent and will need fixed.”

PIAA spring practices can officially begin on March 6, though teams often have to start inside due to weather.

“It’s very disheartening to see this,” said Morrison, in his second year as head coach after playing on Legion for the Dragons and also during summer American Legion baseball. “Our parents and boosters spent multiple weekends this fall working on the field and raised thousands of dollars that we funneled into the field. Everything we have is a product of the hard work of our kids and parents and the generosity of the community. It’s just a shame that some bored and pathetic individual or individuals have nothing better to do than to mess with a high school baseball field. We are in the process of installing cameras at the field and look forward to catching whoever this is should they decide to make another appearance. In the meantime, our team will continue to prepare for the season that starts two weeks from today. We can’t wait to get out there.”

Morrison said this is not the first time the field has been vandalized. He said this damage was found last week during unseasonably warm weather when a player wanted to get outside and throw a little bit.

“It’s not just the work that was done this year. It’s the work that has been done since I played on that field in the late ’80s,” said Andy Teconchuk, a parent who has donated time and resources to improve the field. “Every year, a group of parents and kids put a lot of work into that field. It continues on to maintain and improve. Ten years ago, when (my son) Tanner played, we added a sound system, batter’s eye and field irrigation. Last year we rebuilt the mound, leveled the field, added 12 tons of top conditioner, and replaced a well pump. I used a week of vacation on that field last year, and I wasn’t alone.

“When vandalism occurs, they’re not just making current parents and players upset, they’re upsetting generations of people that put their blood, sweat, and tears into that facility,” said Teconchuk. “We have a great community and we’ll bounce back better than before. It will take all hands on deck to get ready for the season.”