Rainy Weather Putting Damper On Area's Recreational Sports

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NORTH TEXAS(CBSDFW.COM) - Rainy weather plus water-logged fields equals kids staying inside.  And it's not just kids who're itching to get outside and play again.  Their parents are missing out, too.

The adult softball league at the Hurst Softball Complex already had six rain outs last week when they decided to take their chances.

But for parents like Sarah Wells, Plano Baseball Association's indoor batting cage is the best way for her three-year-old and five-year-old sons to keep their skills sharp during all the rainy weather.

"I think we're all feeling the cabin fever to be able to figure out a way to stay active and have our kids be able to move and have fun," says Wells.

It's not just a drag for the little ones and their parents. For the people behind youth sports, the recent storms have become a major expense.

"Every rain out, we end up having to do double work because then we have to reschedule the games, reschedule umpires, reschedule our concessions and you basically just have to reset to do everything all over again," says Wes Hand of the Plano Baseball Association.

Baseball is just one example. Soccer fields have been flooded to the point where it just isn't safe to let kids play on them.

The leagues aren't the only ones struggling. Plano city leaders tell us they've had to cancel 19 tournaments so far this season. The city loses money from tournament fees, but more importantly that economic impact is felt by local businesses that don't get revenue from visiting teams.

"I just keep waiting for the clouds to part and it to be sunny weather again," says Wells.

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