An arsonist torched the Broadneck High School artificial athletic field Sunday, causing more than $10,000 worth of damage and possibly delaying the state field hockey championships.
Anne Arundel firefighters found the field on fire at 6 a.m. Sunday, said Capt. Harry Steiner, county fire spokesman.
Though officials could not estimate the square footage destroyed, the damage is enough to make the $800,000 field unplayable.
“The way it is right now, no one can play on it,” said schools spokesman Bob Mosier.
The state field hockey playoffs are set to begin at 5 p.m. today.
Mosier said the turf manufacturer will be at the school today to replace the damaged field.
“They think they can get it done,” Mosier said, adding that teams from Cecil and Carroll counties will be trekking to the school in Arnold for the games.
If the repairs cannot be done in time, the field hockey playoffs will be moved to South River High School, Mosier said. That field is natural grass, but field hockey teams prefer artificial turf.
The fire was localized to the field?s center emblem, a large “B.” Steiner said details about the nature of the arson were not available, but Mosier said it looked as if someone “poured something on part of [the field] and lit it on fire.”
Cameras monitor the field, and Mosier said the school?s security department is working with police to identify suspects.
“We put security cameras in place after the field was damaged last year,” Broadneck Athletic Director Ken Kazmarek said.
“The cameras? intent was to make sure this doesn?t happen, and if it did, to help us find those who are responsible so we can prosecute.”
Anne Arundel police would not comment on the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 410-222-TIPS.
Sports Editor Jon Gallo contributed to this story.
