Lima scores scoreboard

LIMA — A partnership between the city and a local business is a homerun for Lima's baseball teams.Lima City Council on Monday is expected to approve legislation that will allow the mayor to purchase a new, $13,000 scoreboard for Simmons Field. The money comes from a donation from the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio.Parks Director Ric Stolly said the scoreboard will be a visible example of what can happen when business and government partner for the good of community organizations.“This is a nice triangle of partnership. Obviously, the Orthopaedic Institute is interested in being involved in the community, and the city's partnership with the Locos has been a real success. This just works out for everyone,” Stolly said. In addition to serving as home field to the Lima Locos baseball team, the field is also used by the Lima Legion teams. With the Locos pulling in close to 550 people each game, and the Legion team drawing its own crowds, Stolly estimates the field brings more than 16,000 guests to the city park each summer.The new scoreboard, purchased from Electro-Mech Scoreboard Co., will be what Stolly calls a “fan friendly” addition. It will offer all the traditional score information along with inning-by-inning run counts and even pitch speed. The scoreboard will be up in time for the beginning of the summer baseball season in early June, Stolly said.In other business, Council is expected to approve legislation giving ArtSpace/Lima permission to hold its annual Rallies in the Square beginning May 18, to and pass a resolution of support for Phase V of the Ottawa River Bikeway Project.