This personal Field of Dreams is a nightmare for the neighbours.
Former MLB all-star J.J. Hardy has taken backyard baseball to the next level by going all-out to build a field at his Chandler, Ariz., home — much to his neighbours’ chagrin.
“Everybody has a right to enjoy their own yard, but this is something that is beyond what is reasonable to expect your neighbors to tolerate,” neighbour Pam Lang told local TV station KPHO.
Lang, who lives across the street from Hardy, reached out to the station to complain about the work being done in the one-time all-star’s yard.
The upset neighbour said that she only learned about what the project was when she saw 20-foot poles being drilled into the ground to support netting around the yard.
“I didn’t sign up to live next to a baseball field,” Lang said. “It’s like a commercial, like living next to Top Golf, you know.”
The neighbour reportedly filed a complaint with Maricopa County and learned the former shortstop had stopped short of receiving the proper permits for the new field.
According to reports, Hardy’s home already boasted a putting green, tennis court and in-ground pool before beginning work on the baseball field.
Since the property is on a county island, Hardy does not have to fear any opposition from a homeowner association, which also has frustrated Lang.
“There’s an inherent unfairness to this, an injustice because he can do whatever he wants because it’s a county island, and I can’t,” Lang said. “I don’t have a recourse because I am bound by all these rules in this HOA.”
A county island is a portion of an unincorporated area that is within the jurisdiction of a county, usually surrounded by adjacent areas that are incorporated into a municipality. Meaning Hardy either lucked out or sought out this property to have more free reign than most of his neighbours do.
He does, however, have to adhere to several height and distance requirements for the project.
While frustrated at the lack of options at her disposal, Lang said she just wants to be heard.
“It’s very disappointing and frustrating that all I can do is file a complaint and hope that somebody in the county feels like listening to me,” she added.
Hardy spent 13 years in the majors, playing for the 1,561 total games for Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins and Orioles. He won three Gold Gloves and one Silver Slugger in his career while also making two all-star teams. After retiring in 2017, He was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame in 2021.
Hardy has to meet an April 22 deadline to file the proper permits or risk needing to take down some of the construction, county officials told AZFamily.
The family of the ex-ball player refused to comment when reached out to by the outlet.
Either way, we doubt that they’ll be inviting their neighbour over for a barbecue and a spin around the bases when construction is completed.