Vandals strike at Lynn Little Leaguers’ dreams

LYNN – Thieves stole aluminum benches from three Little League fields in Lynn sometime during the weekend.Bill Allen, the vice president for East Lynn Little League, said thieves stole benches from Volunteer Field, Keaney Park and the Clarke Street Playground.”The benches were cut out,” Allen said. “They were probably sold as scrap. We’ve worked very hard to keep the fields up and the benches at Volunteer Field were just installed a couple of years ago. The benches cost us a couple of thousand dollars.”East Lynn Little League President Ryan Boisselle said he was shocked when he heard about the theft.”We keep the fields and dugouts locked up to prevent graffiti and vandalism,” he said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think someone would remove the bleachers. It’s disheartening to say the least. Whoever is doing this is stealing from the kids basically.”Boisselle said police reports were filed and a board member from the league contacted all the scrap-metal dealers in the area.”We’re trying to get the word out,” Boisselle said. “We hope by getting the word out they catch the people responsible for this.”The thefts occurred sometime between 6 p.m. on Thursday and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to a police report.Police said the gates to the Little League field and dugouts were locked at the time of the incident.”Access was gained through the fence,” the report states. “The straps that hold the fence to the poles were taken off.”Allen said Volunteer Field is shared with the Challenger League, which is a division for handicapped children.”The Challenger League uses the field for games, events and parades,” Allen said. “It’s their home field too.”Mary Beth Curley, who is a parent volunteer with East Lynn Little League and has two sons in the program, said the theft is heartbreaking.”It’s more sad than anything,” she said. “I know times are tough, but it’s so sad people think they have to do these things that hurt the kids ? Everything we get is donated and we don’t have much money, but the season will go on.”Police Lt. William Sharpe said the theft remains under investigation and no arrests have been made yet. Police are appealing to the public for assistance.Sharpe urged anyone with information to call 781-595-2000. Anyone who wishes to utilize the department’s text-a-tip program can text the word tiplynn on a mobile device to tip411 or 847411. Anonymous tips can also be submitted from the police department’s Web site at www.lynnpolice.org and clicking the “submit tip” icon.Allen said league is accepting donations to help defray the cost of replacing the dugout benches that were stolen.”At the end of day, whatever we decide to do is going to come out of our pockets,” he said. “Any donations would be appreciated.”Boisselle added the dugouts and fields will be ready for opening day this spring.”No matter what it takes,” he said. “We ask for donations and have fundraisers. This is for the kids so we’ll do whatever it takes.”Allen said anyone, who would like to make a donation, could do so online at www.eastlynnlittleleague.org or by contacting him at 781-598-0378.