Pine Island parents raise safety concerns over unfinished baseball field repairs years after Hurricane Ian

PINE ISLAND, Fla. (WINK)—The crack of a bat and cheers from the dugout signal a sense of normalcy at the Pine Island Youth Baseball League.

For many families, it’s a sign of progress after the devastation of Hurricane Ian. But nearly four years later, parents say the fields are still far from fully recovered—and in some cases, unsafe.

“I really wish I had shade in the dugout… it’s so hot,” said Silas, one of the young players.

Parents and league supporters point to several ongoing issues at the facility, including a missing dugout roof, lack of shade over the bleachers, and damage to key structures like the batting cage, storage shed, and score board.

Rogan White, a parent with a child in the league, says the conditions raise serious safety concerns.

“Most specifically, injuries to the kids in the dugout without there being a roof overhead, foul balls hitting into the grandstands,” White said. “There have been a number of very close calls.”

White says the concerns go beyond discomfort—he believes the county is taking on unnecessary risk by delaying repairs.

“If I were to defer paying my taxes, I know that there would be quick repercussions,” he said. “So why should the county be allowed to defer the maintenance?”

Rachel White, another parent, says while her child loves playing in the league, the conditions are hard to ignore.

“We just want what’s safe for our children,” she said. “We’re a little forgotten out here.”

She also noted the impact goes beyond Pine Island families, with children from nearby Cape Coral participating in the league and using the park’s facilities.

“This doesn’t just affect Pine Island,” she said. “It affects a broader community.”

Parents say they’ve been raising concerns for years, hoping for clearer timelines and faster action. Some say they would even be willing to fix the issues themselves if allowed.

In response, Lee County says it is still working through widespread damage caused by Hurricane Ian, which totaled about $40 million across roughly 100 park sites.

County officials say their initial priority was to reopen facilities safely and are now moving forward with longer-term repairs.

According to the county:

A contractor has been issued a purchase order for the replacement of the dugout roof, and officials are awaiting a schedule for the work.

Quotes have been received for shade structures over the bleachers, with a purchase order expected within one to two weeks.

The county is still in the process of obtaining quotes to replace the damaged storage shed.

While those updates show progress, families say what they’re still missing are clear timelines—and urgency.

In the meantime, kids like Beau are focused on what they love most about the game.

“I like to hit it to the outfield and run all the bases,” he said.

But for parents watching from the sidelines, the focus remains on making sure that game is played safely.