Published: June 18, 2008 08:40 am      

Pole, netting damaged at Klein Field over the weekend

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Vandals damaged a supporting pole and netting at the Brennan Klein Memorial Field at Lincoln Park last weekend.

“It happened over Sunday night or Saturday night,” Mt. Vernon Police Chief Chris Mendenall said. “The incident is still under investigation.”

The field opened last spring, when it became the Mt. Vernon Township High School varsity baseball team field. It was built after land was donated by Rex and Vic Cusumano, and with substantial donations by Brennan Klein’s parents, Dr. Chris and Dianne Klein. Earlier this month, the field was named Facility of the Year by the Southern Illinois Baseball Coaches Association.

The monetary impact of the damage is unknown at this time. City Parks and Recreation Director George Bryant is working with local companies to get estimates on the cost of repair for the netting and replacement of the pole.

According to City Manager Ron Neibert, once the estimates are completed, the information will be forwarded to the city’s insurance company.

Mendenall said anyone with information about the vandalism should contact the Mt. Vernon Police Department at 242-2131 or Jefferson County Crimestoppers at 242-8477. Any information which leads to an arrest may make the caller eligible for a cash reward. Information shared with Crimestoppers is anonymous.