The current snack shack at Sperry Park suffered minor damage Wednesday from vandals who burned down the original snack shack.
AVON – Vandals may have destroyed Avon Little League’s original snack shack at Sperry Park but league president Mike Ryan and the league officials have been comforted by the response from many town residents Wednesday.
“As disappointing as the vandalism is, we are heartened by how many people have expressed the desire to donate to the league and help us get back on our feet,” Ryan said.
The building, which was being used as a storage shed, was destroyed by fire early Wednesday morning. Firefighters responded to the blaze around 3:20 a.m. Multiple media reports said the police are investigating the cause of the fire. Anyone with any information about the blaze should call Avon police at 860-409-4200.
A freezer that stored food for the current snack shack building, some pitching machines and t-shirts and hats were lost in the fire along with several signs on the outside of the building that recognized recent District 6 baseball championship teams from Avon. Ryan estimated the loss of equipment between $5,000 and $10,000.
The vandals also broke into the current snack shack building, which was opened in 2007. They emptied food and drinks from refrigerators and freezers and caused some minor damage. They tried to light a fire but fortunately, it failed. Plenty of food had to be thrown away.
Several members of the 16-person Board of Directors for Avon Little League were at Sperry Park on Wednesday cleaning up the snack shack.
“No one was hurt,” Ryan said. “We’re disappointed that someone would do this sort of thing but we’ll move from it.”
There was no damage to any of the other facilities at Sperry Park, Ryan said.
Ryan said that 400 children ages 5 to 12 participated in Little League baseball and softball programs this year. This spring’s Little League baseball and softball season is virtually over. Avon’s Minor Division baseball (age 10-11) All-Star team saw their season end last week in the state tournament. The fall baseball and softball programs begin in September.
Ryan said the original snack shack dated back to the 1960s. “It was part of the park’s history,” he said.
Ryan said numerous people came to see the damage on Wednesday and many of them shared the same story with him and other members of the Board of Directors. They talked about how they played Little League at Sperry Park, how that building was the snack shack and how sad they were about (the fire).
One resident from a nearby neighborhood walked by and had no idea what had happened. When she found, she wanted to know how she could donate to help repair the damage.
Residents who would like to donate to Avon Little League can write a check to Avon Little League and send it to P.O. Box 441, Avon, CT 06001. Donations are tax deductible and donors will receive a confirmation letter from the Board of Directors, Ryan said.
Ryan said the Board of Directors is in the midst of starting a fundraising campaign for improvements at Sperry Park. Some of the ideas that the board are considering are additional safety netting for the fields, upgrades to the lights, upgrades to bleachers and perhaps another field dedicated to softball. He said, the board will add replacement of the building and equipment to its list of proposals to consider.
On Wednesday, Avon Prime Meats said they would be holding a fundraiser on Saturday, July 26, donating a portion of sales to Avon Little League. Avon Prime Meats is also taking donations for Avon Little League through Sunday. With your donation, you’ll be entered in a raffle to win a dinner for two from Avon Prime Meats.
More information about Avon Little League can be found on their website. http://www.avonlittleleague.org/
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