The City of Sault Ste. Marie will look at accessibility issues at local baseball fields. Council passed a motion Monday night, tabled by Ward 3 Councillor Angela Caputo and seconded by Ward 1 Councillor Sonny Spina, directing city staff to examine concerns with Sinclair Park.
Caputo says she received an email from a gentleman, who is wheelchair-bound, who discovered after a game he couldn’t get into his vehicle because another vehicle was parked too close to his. He was left with a choice of waiting or asking someone to move his car forward enough to allow him to get in it.
“Quite frankly it broke my heart to hear that,” said Caputo. “People with accessibility issues have the right to be able to go watch their grandkids play baseball. In credit tothe city, we brought that forward and eight spaces were put up as accessible spaces. We hope to continue to build on that.”
Staff will explore possible accessibility improvements including adding washrooms and parking spaces along with funding options and grants.
Sault Minor Baseball enjoyed a banner 2023 season, claiming three provincial titles September 1-3. The Sault played host to two of those tournaments, for the 9-and- under and 11-and-under divisions. The Sault’s 13-and-under team were also provincial champs.
Local organizers believe the minor baseball’s future in the city is bright. Sault Mayor Matthew Shoemaker congratulated the champions and called their titles “a good omen” for local minor baseball.
