Damaged Struthers baseball complex burdens league

Staff report

STRUTHERS

Robert Love of Youngs-town will appear in court at 9:30 a.m. Friday after being accused of crashing his pickup truck into the Struthers Baseball League complex Tuesday morning.

Police were dispatched to the area of Katherine and Prospect streets to investigate a report of a red Ford pickup driving erratically.

The truck plowed through the main gate at the Struthers Baseball League complex Tuesday, crashing into the building that houses the power supply and restrooms for the complex, according to the report.

Police followed tracks in the snow left by the truck that led toward Poland Township. At that point, Poland Township police advised that they had Love in custody.

According to the report, the truck was missing the front grill, which matched the one found at the baseball complex. Pieces of concrete that belonged to the building also were found in the engine compartment of the truck, reports said.

Poland Township police charged Love with OVI, before releasing him to Struthers police custody. Love was processed and released on his own recognizance.

“Just as the Struthers Baseball League is getting ready to start its 59th season, someone barreled through the complex’s main gates this morning, not only delaying upcoming registration but putting a huge financial hardship on the league,” Mike Rescineto, league treasurer said.

Additionally, League President John Medvec said the complex will need to be demolished and rebuilt. The complex also no longer has power, which is needed for the concessions to generate revenue.

“It’s not reparable,” he said.

The Katherine Street facility is insured, but registration for the upcoming season may be delayed.