MRD plans to marshal play is a necessity

Sad to announce it, but it appears as though it has come to this. Thinking and looking back, it may even be coming just a tad too late.

Regardless of what most may think, the recent decision on the part of Mooresville Recreation Department officials to cancel plans of youth tournament competition within its various basketball leagues proved to be more of an inconvenience on their part. Brackets had already been shaped, and game assignments on the part of timers, scorekeepers and officials had already been made.

In short, it was more of a hassle to go ahead and terminate the play than it would have been to have it take place as scheduled. The number of incidents though surrounding the games made the decision, as tough as it was, the right one.

Perhaps because of that, yet another idea that may be in its prime is also making a serious stand at the MRD.

Hopefully to be put into effect as soon as the fast-approaching youth baseball and softball seasons, the rec. dept. is presently hashing around the thought of incorporating a program of field marshals to be on site throughout all of the games taking place.

The MRD is now looking to secure the services of those wishing to fill these marshalling vacancies. Initially, the idea is to create a group of volunteers working in conjunction with other game officials at the various sites that would assure and help secure the fact that the number of unsporting behavior from all in attendance will be limited during the upcoming seasons. All wishing to do so are urged to contact the MRD as soon as possible.

The project will find all of the field marshals donning official MRD uniforms and have full capacity, should they need it, to maintain a safe environment during all of the youth games. They will be present for every pitch during every game, filling out a schedule the same as game statisticians and officials. They have full authority to nip any and all possible unruly situations in the bud, even to the point that would require removal from the premises if it were being called for.

Too much has already been made of the too many similar situations that erupted during the course of the just passed basketball season. Plans call for the same type of presence to be put into place alongside all courts when that season rolls around next year as well.

Presently, one of the stumbling blocks towards organizing the marshal program is whether or not the MRD can allot some of its budget to pay for such services rendered. It has asked for constant police assistance, but even those patrolling officers can’t be at each one of the facilities all the time.

In a way, it’s sad to know it has come to this. In another, though, it’s probably a good thing that it’s coming now.