Little League is now over for the most part at the East End ballfield.
Living close to there for 10 years, I have known that there would be noise well into the night, which has never been a concern of mine.
Even the congestion of cars that park in the neighborhood rather than at the ballfield is no big deal.
But it continues to amaze me how much people litter at these events and have no regard for their neighbors. There are adequate trash cans and even a dumpster at the ballpark, but it appears that it is acceptable not to use them. After more well-attended games especially, the plastic bottles and cans, 50-50 tickets, styrofoam cups, candy wrappers and cigarette butts are suddenly on the road or on our property for us to clean.
There is also an empty field adjacent to the park that a neighbor maintains by cutting the grass. Spectators bring lawn chairs to sit up on the hill and watch the game on nice evenings. This is where a large amount of paper and cups are strewn.
It is now more than a week after the big game and seeing some of the trash still there today that has not blown into other yards made me want to comment.
It is hard to understand that people just throw their trash on the ground after visiting the concession stand. I cannot imagine going into somebody's neighborhood and leaving behind my mess when it takes seconds to take care of it especially when we are being reminded to "Go Green" a lot these days.
It also is not a good example for adults to set for the young people. Whether a ballfield, a park, a campground, a work space, or while eating on the run, cleaning up afterwards is the responsible and courteous thing to do.
Carol Gehret
Altoona
A vote against crossbows
As a response to "Potential crossbow changes hitting a nerve" and as an archery hunter myself, I would be thrilled if they change the law to once again outlaw crossbows during archery season.
I understand that because the Pennsylvania Game Commission allowed the use of crossbows for the upcoming season that many people paid hundreds of dollars for new crossbows thinking that they would be able to use them this fall, and now they might not get to use them.
In my opinion, using crossbows in archery season should have never been made legal in the first place.
This would be different if the Game Commission allowed crossbows for disabled or elderly people, but for the average person it is almost cheating. There are a lot of diehard archery hunters, and the reason for this is because it is more of a challenge to hunt with a bow.
A crossbow would take away the challenge of archery season and give the people using a crossbow a big advantage. Using a crossbow is like using a rifle that shoots arrows, there just would be nothing to set apart archery and rifle season anymore.
Maybe instead of completely outlawing crossbows, the Pennsylvania Game Commission could find a way to allow just disabled and elderly people to use crossbows.
Allowing only a certain group of people to use crossbows would give the people who bought one for the upcoming season more of a chance to sell it, and this would keep us true archery hunters off the Game Commission's back.
Ethan Weyandt
Claysburg
Event underscores good fortune
Last Sunday's opening-day ceremonies for the Altoona Parochial Football League were held at Bishop Guilfoyle's athletic field.
Close to 130 fourth- fifth- and sixth-grade football players were introduced. These young players were cheered on by 60 lovely cheerleaders.
A punt, pass and kick competition climaxed the affair. Pat Irwin coordinated the event, and BG's varsity coaches and players assisted in the festivities.
It made me think how fortunate we are to be able to enjoy such a function without fear of terrorists and car bombers disrupting the event.
God bless America.
John Conlon
Altoona
