By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

MelindaPray shook her head as she pointed to the letters spray painted on the back ofthe Old Orchard Beach Little League dugout.

“It’sjust so disheartening when you work so hard,” she said.

Pray,board treasurer and mom of a player, said someone spray painted the back of thedugout AND a door a storage building during the past few weeks. She saidvolunteers have repeatedly found used condoms, beer bottles and other trash onthe field.

Praysaid someone also stole about $70 worth of bottles collected as part of afundraising effort for the organization, which is run entirely by volunteers.The bottles stolen were about half of the total amount collected, she said.

MaintenanceSupervisor Bill Bockus said the theft and damage are especially frustratingbecause all work on the field is done by volunteers to benefit area children.

“It’sall volunteer work here. It’s people trying to make it good for the kids,” hesaid. “I think it’s just kids being kids.”

Praysaid she hopes people driving by the area will watch for suspicious activity onthe field, which is behind Loranger Middle School on E. Emerson CummingsBoulevard.

“Tome, it’s just the beginning. You want to nip it in the bud and make peopleaware,” she said. “It’s sad.”

OldOrchard Beach Deputy Police Chief Keith Babin said damage to the Little Leaguefield was reported on Nov. 23. He said Pray requested police provide extrapatrols in the area, which the department has implemented.

“It’sdifficult to catch them in the act,” he said. “But it’s important to report anycrime to us.”

Nowthat the vandalism has been reported, Babin said officers will keep a close eyeon who is hanging around the field. He said officers investigate all vandalismreports and can issue court summons for criminal mischief for vandalism. Thecharge is a misdemeanor.

Babinsaid there have not been any other reports of vandalism in the area immediatelysurrounding the field. He said there has been vandalism at the Ballpark in thepast, but that has slowed as volunteers restore the facility.

Policealso investigated a report of spray painting on a covered bridge on TempleAvenue within the past couple weeks, Babin said.

Bockussaid the damage to the Little League field will be relatively easy to fix witha gallon of paint, but volunteers won’t tackle that until closer to the startof the season. He said he doesn’t think it is worth the time involved to fixthe damage only for it to happen again.

Parentsand players will gather in April for an annual cleanup day that includesraking, picking up trash and painting buildings.

Thoughdisheartened by the damage, Pray said volunteers are gearing up for afundraising campaign to raise money for a new bullpen. She said efforts arealso under way to schedule an indoor pitching clinic and arrange scholarshipsfor players.

StaffWriter Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.