The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG-Late in the night on Friday, April 9, multiple properties were vandalized in Waitsburg, including the baseball fields, the football field, and the horse track. With the first home baseball game scheduled in less than a week, athletes, parents, and friends rallied on Sunday to repair the field to a playable state.

The damage included deep ruts caused by a vehicle spinning 'brodies' on the grass and infield, with deep tire marks which appeared to be caused by spinning tires. Witnesses in the area said that it was a male driving with a newer, white pickup with an extended cab. A property on West 7th Street also sustained similar damage, with witnesses saying that this damage occurred around 11:55 p.m. The Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office was contacted and is investigating.

Lisa Morrow, a school board member, baseball mom, and sports enthusiast, gathered a work group to repair the baseball field. Morrow said her 4-H group was scheduled for a workday at the pig barns that morning, and many of the 4-H'ers walked over to help with the baseball fields.

Kevin Smith, owner of Smith Brothers Landscaping in Walla Walla helped Morrow with donated sand, dirt, and the use of dump trailers, rakes, and a sod cutter, which was essential to the successful repair of the field.

"We have a long way to go," said Morrow. "But the field is playable."

Denise and Andy Winnett, who live next to the field, also stepped in and donated a tractor to help flatten the ground. An uneven field poses a serious risk of injury to athletes, including sprains and broken bones.

"It's very frustrating," said Tracy Barron, a WSD employee and softball parent, as she reflected on the work done over the weekend. "These kids just can't seem to catch a break."

The list of volunteers included Waitsburg School Superintendent Mark Pickel and his son, Isaac. Duke and Lisa Morrow, Charlie and Tracy Barron, Trevor Boudrieau, Seamus House and Steve Tremmel were among the community members and parents that all jumped in. Nick Watts, who was visiting from Oregon, manned a tractor and helped out with various jobs.

Students from both Dayton and Waitsburg didn't hesitate to change their Sunday plans to help. Sadie Seney, Amy Bly, Garrett Palmer, Jayce Gleason, and Caleb, Makenna, and Carter Barron were among the students who helped out. Quinn Benavides, Daylan Marlow, Cougar Anderson, Colt and Levi Boudrieau, and Jasper Morrow helped rake dirt and sand and lay sod as needed.

Please contact the Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office at (509) 524-5400 if you have information about the driver or events that resulted in multiple properties being vandalized.

With the quick thinking and work from volunteers, the Dayton-Waitsburg Wolfpack baseball team will be able to play Walla Walla Valley Academy on Saturday, April 17, at 11 a.m, at the Waitsburg field.