The Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (LBPRC) reported that it began an internal review after the damage reported in the visiting team’s dressing room at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, after the mayor of San Juan, Miguel A. Romero Lugo, reported acts of vandalism that occurred during days in which league games were being held.
In an official statement, the president of the LBPRC, Juan A. Flores Galarza, indicated that the league is aware of the video shared by the mayor in which the damage to municipal facilities is evident. “We take this situation with the utmost seriousness and have immediately initiated an internal review with the parties involved,” he said.
Flores Galarza stressed that respect for municipal facilities is a non-negotiable standard for all teams in the league. “For this reason, we will be working collaboratively with the municipality to address this situation promptly and ensure that the corresponding measures are taken,” he added, while reaffirming the LBPRC’s commitment to healthy coexistence, professionalism and care for the public facilities that serve as gaming venues.
Earlier, Mayor Romero Lugo reported two incidents of vandalism on recently installed doors in the dugout area of the capital’s stadium. “The damage that has been caused here is unacceptable. We are talking about public funds and a significant investment that is being made to put the Hiram Bithorn in top-notch condition. This is a lack of respect for the people of San Juan,” he said in written statements.
As detailed by the mayor, the first incident was reported on Thursday, when damage was recorded to three access doors to the dugout, with an approximate cost of $11,000. Later on Friday night, additional acts of vandalism were reported at other gates in the area. The affected areas, he specified, are used exclusively by the teams and not by the public that attends the stadium.
Although the final estimate is still in process, Romero Lugo indicated that preliminary losses exceed $20,000. In addition, he recalled that the Municipality of San Juan has invested between $40 and $50 million in the remodeling of the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, including improvements to the playing field, new chairs, dressing rooms, bathrooms, electrical systems, sealing of structures and other areas, as part of the preparation for high-caliber events, including the World Baseball Classic.
Given the situation, the mayor announced that these areas will not be released for regular use until the start of the international tournament. “For this reason, I have made the decision that these areas will not be released for regular use until the start of the World Baseball Classic. They leave me no other option. We are going to protect what belongs to the people and ensure that it is used with the respect it deserves,” he said.
Romero Lugo confirmed that the events have already been referred to the LBPRC and that he requested the corresponding management to carry out an investigation to identify those responsible. “The people of San Juan do not deserve this. We are going to go to the final consequences so that it is known who it was and so that this type of behavior is not repeated again,” he stated.
The Indians of Mayagüez are also attentive
Given the statements issued about the damage that occurred at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, the Mayagüez Indians reported that they are carrying out internal investigations to clarify the facts and determine any possible responsibility.
The franchise indicated that, if the involvement of any of its members is confirmed, the necessary measures will be taken in accordance with the established regulations and in coordination with the league and the corresponding authorities.
“The Mayagüez Indians organization, its president CPA José Julio Feliciano, the management, administrative staff, technical team and players reiterate their commitment to healthy coexistence, as well as to personal and professional respect, both on and off the field of play, and to the care of the facilities that are part of professional baseball in Puerto Rico,” the communication states.
