Vandals tried to cut power at S.A. Five Diamonds Park, but the community swiftly restored it.
SAN ANTONIO — Vandals attempted to shut off the lights for thousands of children who just want to play ball. However, the south-side community made sure that did not happen.
On Monday morning, at S.A. Five Diamonds Park, Dennis and Elaine Ortiz noticed some lights were out. They discovered several light poles had been tampered with.
“They had all of these wires pulled out and they were cut,” Elaine said.
The couple has been running the little league for the past 12 years. But the organization has been around since 1956. They said they are the south side’s only little league charter left.
They said they have never been vandalized and stolen from to this extent. They called the police Tuesday and made a report.
“There’s no copper wiring,” Elaine said. “It’s not worth it. You’re affecting almost 12-hundred children when you do that kind of thing and for what? Maybe a couple of dollars.”
Elaine said they decided to post about what happened to let the players know their schedules would be impacted since three fields were out of commission for night ball. They never expected what happened next.
“We had master electricians that started offering their help,” Elaine said.
She said many of them had grown up playing at the park and offered their help, for free.
“After work, after 5’oclock, six master electricians, they stopped and stayed here until all the lights were working,” Elaine said.
By Wednesday night, everything was back in business. The Ortiz couple said they were overwhelmed by the response but not surprised.
“It’s refreshing to know that there are people out there that care so much,” Elaine said.
San Antonio police are investigating the incident and upping patrols in the area.
There are surveillance cameras at the park. However, Elaine said they did not capture the suspects. She said they are going to add more cameras.