County won't mandate insurance for use of fields
County sports leagues won't have to provide $1 million in liability insurance before using county fields this year.
The Washington County Commissioners decided Thursday to keep the policy as it was last year, and require only leagues that use concession stands to provide an insurance certificate.
That insurance was needed in case of food poisoning, said Annajean Bitner, the county's risk management administrator.
County Attorney Richard Douglas had told the commissioners that the insurance requirement would help protect the county from lawsuits.
The decision will save hundreds of dollars for sports leagues that don't already have insurance. Those leagues had been told they would need to present a certificate of insurance before using county fields.
Tim Leather, a player in the Industrial Morning Softball League, had criticized the insurance requirement. Leather said the insurance would cost the eight-team league $600 for a season. The league already pays $400 to use the fields, he said.
