DOVER, Del. - The Dover Little League complex is facing a major cleanup and rebuilding effort after a confirmed tornado tore through the city Thursday evening, leaving several fields heavily damaged.
By Friday morning, the extent of the destruction at the complex was clear.
Light towers had been knocked down across the fields. Fencing and backstops were crushed. Several scoreboards were damaged, batting cages were destroyed and dugout roofs had been ripped away.
Matthew Rooney, the league’s safety officer, said his first concern after hearing about the damage was simple.
“Where are the kids going to play? That was my first reaction is, where are these boys going to be playing?” Rooney said.
Rooney said five light towers were down and officials were still unsure whether some of the towers left standing had also been damaged. He said three scoreboards were damaged, along with fencing, backstops and batting cages throughout parts of the complex.
The damage is especially significant for a complex that serves hundreds of young athletes throughout the year.
Rooney said roughly 800 people come through Dover Little League annually, with players ranging from T-ball through the senior divisions for teenagers up to age 16. Some of the older players could be especially affected because the fall season represents their final opportunity to play Little League before aging out.
For board member Scott Steel, the damage is also personal.
“My son's been playing here since he was eight. My younger son now plays down there and he is seven. So yeah, there's an investment here. So yeah, it is emotional to see how bad this gets,” Steel said.
Steel said the league has hosted regional tournaments in recent years, bringing teams from states including Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey to Dover. He said restoring the complex will be a major undertaking.
“This is going to be, a big, big lift for the for the community. So we got to make sure we can, bring it back for them,” Steel said.
League officials said some parts of the complex escaped major damage. Rooney said the T-ball fields appeared to be in better condition, while practices on unaffected fields could resume as early as Monday.
For the damaged areas, however, the rebuilding process is only beginning.
Rooney said the league is waiting for its insurance company to assess the property before large-scale debris removal and repairs can begin. Officials are also working to determine where affected teams can practice and play in the meantime.
Other Little League organizations across the area have already offered help. Rooney said leagues including Felton and Camden-Wyoming reached out to offer fields and other support. He said the league is confident it can recover, with a goal of having the damaged fields fully ready by the spring season.
League officials also plan to establish a way for community members to donate money or volunteer time to help with the rebuilding effort.
Volunteer Shaun Permelia said the message from those already looking toward the recovery is simple.
“Dover strong. We will be back. We will build, and we will be better than ever.”
