Nets and other items stolen from Georgetown County ball fields estimated to be in the thousands

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – An investigation is underway in Georgetown County after thousands of dollars in netting was stolen from a baseball field.

Deputies with the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Eight Oaks Ball Field off Highmarket Street on March 7 after receiving reports of vandalism.

According to a report, the president of the Georgetown Baseball/Softball Booster Club showed responding deputies where netting around four batting cages was cut down and removed, along with netting from the “L-shaped stops” near the fields.

Deputies found evidence that the netting was cut and said they observed the frayed ends of ropes hanging from posts the nets were originally mounted to, and metal carabiners with frayed ends of bungee cords still attached lying on the ground.

The organization’s president estimated the netting at $2,500 per net, per cage, with four total cages – adding in a Facebook post that the fields suffered roughly $10,000 in damage and stolen equipment.

In the post, the organization said someone had also broken into the storage room and taken a pitching machine.

The theft comes as the organization prepares for the baseball/softball season to get underway this weekend. “Not only if your timing terrible, but so is your heart,” a message said. “Come on, WHO steals from CHILDREN?!”

They are asking for the netting and pitching machine to be returned.

Anyone with information about the theft is encouraged to contact the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.

News 2 has reached out to the organization for additional information. We are waiting to hear back.