Federal judge orders more fixes to Ramona High softball fields

League opener next week will be played on team's new field

By TERI FIGUEROA - Staff Writer | Friday, March 28, 2008 7:37 PM PDT ∞

RAMONA ---- With the start of the Ramona High School girls' softball season just days away, the field the team plays on is still in need of fixes, a judge ruled this week.

Newly built batting cages must be widened, and the cage's asphalt must be replaced to match the quality of the cement flooring in the cages that the boys' team uses, U.S. District Judge Thomas J. Whelan in San Diego ruled.

The high school also will have to replace and relocate the old backstop ---- one attorney called it dilapidated ---- to make it safer and closer to home plate.

"Over all, we are pleased with ruling," said Elizabeth Arleo, the attorney representing players' parents.

But Whelan rejected the parents' complaints that the outfield and dugouts weren't up to snuff.

Daniel Shinoff, the attorney representing the district, said his client "absolutely" plans to comply.

The judge ordered both sides to meet by April 4 to hammer out a schedule to address the remaining work to be done.

Whelan's order filed Wednesday marks the latest in the battle some parents have waged to get the district to comply with a federal law requiring schools to offer equal facilities to boys and girls sports teams.

Until they took their case to federal court in January 2007, the girls team didn't have a field on campus and had to play at a neighboring school.

Whelan decided in July that the Ramona Unified School District was violating a section of a federal law known as Title IX that prohibits gender discrimination at educational institutions that receive federal funding.

The judge said the district had treated girls softball differently than boys baseball ---- for 30 years, the boys got two fields while the girls were shuffled to sites off campus ---- and he ordered the district to make changes before this year's softball season began.

According to court papers, the district has spent more than $130,000 to provide a field and softball amenities "far better" than what the parents originally sought.

The district revamped the field used by the boys junior varsity and freshmen baseball teams, giving it to the girls varsity softball team.

When the girls team takes the field on Friday for the first game of Valley League play this year, they will host the game on the high school grounds ---- near the locker rooms and all other amenities the campus provides.

"It's huge, a historic event for the softball program," said John Tenwolde, one of the parents who sued the district. His daughter, Kristen, a junior, is a pitcher.

Tenwolde said that while field is still lumpy and the dugouts still need some work, overall, he is pleased to have the games on campus.

"We see that as the greatest thing of all," he said. "It isn't perfect, but at least the girls are on campus and kids and parents have something to work with."

Contact staff writer Teri Figueroa at (760) 740-5442 or tfigueroa@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

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