Earlier start times suggested for Carol Stream Legion ballgames

The American Legion Post 76 could get a little more flexibility on game times for baseball tournaments if recommendations from the Carol Stream plan commssion/zoning board of appeals are approved.

The proposed changes, which include earlier start times and later ending times, would not apply to regular-season games and must be approved by the village board.

The amendments would further change a 2000 special use permit allowing improvements at the baseball facility shared by Wheaton College and American Legion Post 76.

Commissioners recommended approval of the following amendments:

• All activities for American Legion baseball tournament games could start at 8 a.m.

• The final inning of legion baseball tournament games could start at 11:30 p.m.

• The PA system could be used except during the village dead zone period (10 p.m. to 9 a.m.).

• The legion could play up to 20 night games during the month of July.

Currently, games are not allowed to start before 9 a.m., except for 10 a.m. on Sundays. The latest innings can start Sunday through Thursday is 10:30 p.m., and 11:30 p.m. for games on Saturday and Friday - with one exception for Wheaton College if it hosts the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament.

And now lights are allowed for night games only 15 times per month.

The changes were proposed to allow more time in case adverse weather interferes with tournament games and to accommodate teams who travel long distances to get to the legion baseball facility. The legion was originally asking for the tournament games to start at 8 a.m. with warm-ups beginning at 7 a.m., but the commissioners voted to recommend approval of all activities to start at 8 a.m.

Three residents from Mission Court in Winfield spoke at the meeting to address the proposed amendments.

According to Jim Kindler, president of the Mission Court homeowners association, the baseball games present problems for residents, specifically with light flooding into people's homes as well as residents hearing noise from the parking lot.

"When it all opened up, the lights have been shining in the homes, on our decks, on our porches," Kindler said. "… That's detrimental to the comfort of our homeowners."

The recommendations will be on the village board agenda on Aug. 4.