'No home runs': city removes controversial rule for local ball diamond
You can play ball if you don’t get too competitive and hardballs. Forget about it. Those were some of the city’s strict rules for players here at McGregor Park following safety concerns from residents in this condo building. But tonight the city removed the signage with the list of rules following backlash from locals who say the ball diamond was here first. You didn’t do your research and we shouldn’t be penalized because you didn’t do your research. The Enigma Lofts at 138 Saint Helens Ave. were built in 2018 directly beside the diamond. Residents who live there say there were major issues. I moved in here, I heard there’s a lot of there was a lot of complaints about balls like breaking windows and stuff and and so yeah, even the the net is there, it’s probably not not tall enough. So I understand that they had to put some rules. One of those rules was no home runs. But the city says changes at the park, including netting, planting additional trees and reviewing the types of permits issued at the diamond, made that rule redundant and is why the rule initially appeared to be removed before the signs were taken down. Another rule that was bewildering locals the ban on competitive high level play. It’s like don’t play your best sport, don’t play your best. Like just throw the ball half as fast, hit it half as fast. And yes, that’s comedian Jasmine Reina, who just so happens to live in the area and has this message. Look, let the kids be kids, all right? They’re just playing as kids do. You were a kid once, too, Didn’t you play? The city tells us that new signage is being installed and while home runs will no longer be banned, balls need to remain within the park enclosure near Bloor and Lansdowne. Michelle Mackey, City News.