Montebello : Baseball Curfew Moved Up in Response to Complaints

The City Council has slapped an earlier curfew on youth baseball in response to complaints from residents who live near the park in Montebello where most of the games are played.

This season, games must end by 10 p.m. on weeknights and 8:30 p.m. on weekends in Grant Rae Park. The city will make another field available on a part-time basis to allow league organizers to schedule more games.

In previous years, games had lasted until 11 p.m. and even beyond, according to residents, who said they are tired of the bright lights and late-night noise.

“All we want is three nights a week to be left alone--without the lights, without the noise, without baseball,” said resident Rebecca Olaerts, who spoke for about a dozen residents who attended the last council meeting.

Montebello Baseball Assn. Commissioner Larry Salazar argued for allowing a later curfew. “I would like to remind Mrs. Olaerts that what’s irritating here is little kids playing a game they enjoy,” he said.

After approving the compromise, council members directed city staff to search for a long-term solution, including possibly moving some games to other parks.

Meanwhile, there will be neither lights nor evening games until the city or the league repairs the park’s lighting system. The council tabled a proposal to pay the $30,000 repair cost. The start of the youth baseball season could be delayed as a result.