Kernels staff hurt as storm hits stadium
A violent storm ripped through Veterans Memorial Stadium Monday afternoon, injuring Kernels staff members who vainly tried to roll the tarp onto the field in the midst of strong wind and heavy rains.
Several members of the grounds crew got trapped under the runaway tarp as it blew out of control and got tangled in the outfield. The long tube that normally holds the tarp rolled over at least one Kernels staff member before he/she could escape the dangerous situation.
Scott Wilson, the Kernels' assistant general manager, suffered a dislocated shoulder in the mayhem. Doug Nelson, the Kernels' general manager, suffered a bruised shoulder and lost his glasses somewhere in the outfield.
Staff members - including full-time employees, part-time employees and interns - routinely help the regular grounds crew with the tarp because it takes dozens of people to handle the massive covering. Kernels players are not allowed to help with the tarp, according to baseball rules, and were not injured.