Statue’s bat, banners stolen from Rochester Youth Baseball Complex

(ABC 6 News) – Over $1,300 worth of property was stolen from a youth sports complex, including a part of a memorial.

At the front of the Rochester Youth Baseball Complex, there are two statues of two boys playing baseball. One of the statues was previously holding a iron bat, which has now been stolen.

The bat is worth $1,000 and is part of a memorial dedicated to the late Roger C. Lowe.

Lowe was an all-star athlete, with a full-ride scholarship to play football at the University of Minn. before a career-ending injury.

He also started many of the youth sports programs here in Rochester that we have today, including girls softball and youth soccer.

Lowe served as the Recreation Director for the city for 32 years before he passed away in 2001.

His widow, Sharon, calls the theft surprising and very upsetting.

"I actually wrote the inscription that’s on it for him. I felt it was a great honor and to this day, I still feel it’s a great honor," she said.

She says it would mean a lot to see the bat returned or replaced.

"A lot of people loved him and I certainly did. I hope they can find out who did it and make them accountable," Lowe’s widow, Sharon, added.

Sometime between 2:30 p.m. June 30 and 2:30 p.m. July 3, staff say the bat was stolen from near the flag poles outside the facility, located at 2591 College Parkway SE, Rochester.

Complex staff also reported $300 in banners taken from the building’s concession stand, as well as a $50 mop bucket missing.

Police say they are unclear as to how the bat was removed from the statue.