The East River Neighborhood Association’s (ERNA) monthly meetings sometimes have a lounge-like feel as Barbara Hamilton and Patricia Odom, who run the meeting, work hard to make sure people feel at ease as they facilitate the list of speakers.

Last week’s ERNA meeting felt less meditation room and more mediation room, as for some unknown reason the city has issued permits that would allow the notorious softball games of the last few years at Ross Field to go until 10 p.m.

This was right after last month’s meeting where the Park’s Commissioner gave everyone a short-lived feel-good moment by stating the permit would be from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Residents near Ross Field have long suffered the behaviors of some members of the softball leagues who can be rowdy, drink liquor, publicly urinate, and then break bottles and often block driveways. This past weekend was a return to the old frustrations.

Mark Oliver, who has been particularly vocal on this matter, began by telling Boston Police Department (BPD) District E-18 Captain Joseph Boyle that people were blocking his driveway past 6 p.m. when the softball leagues’ time to play on the weekend is over. He called 911, an officer appeared but did not issue a ticket, so he asked why. Boyle asked if Oliver was issuing a formal complaint or just sharing. Oliver said it was official. Boyle asked Oliver for his phone number and said he would be in touch.

Zoe Petty, the liaison for Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) for Hyde Park, said in the last meeting that a gathering between softball league members and residents could ease tensions. If softball players could see the faces of their neighbors then tensions would ease, but that has not seemed to have happened.

Petty mentioned how it was the biggest thing she talks about during her reports.

“We are still planning a meeting. The scheduling conflict is around the Parks Department appearance. The new commissioner got sworn in on June 3, so that set the timeline back.”

The plan is for the end of the month. Petty said she personally feels the meeting should take place in person but she could also invite some league members to the next ERNA meeting.

“Now I guess I’ll open the floor to any comments,” Petty said. Mark Oliver immediately stated that, “League members were there past 10 p.m. on Saturday and past 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. If there is a 6 p.m. curfew why is it not being enforced?”

“That would be a question for E-18,” Petty said. Joy Oliver said she did see a police car on Westminister Street but doubted any monitoring took place. Captain Boyle said, “We should’ve gotten them out of there by 6 p.m. I’ll make sure we are on it this weekend. We are constantly being pulled but we do have constant coverage from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.”

One resident, going by Rande, then confirmed Oliver’s complaint that the softball league stayed past 10 p.m. on Saturday, being loud and blasting music. She took pictures of all the trash in her driveway.

“I couldn’t even park my car in the garage because I was afraid of popping my tires on broken glass. This is stuff I don’t want to repeat every year for years.”

“I agree,” Boyle said.

In a surprising twist, Dianna Bronchuck, representing Enrique Pepén’s office, calmly said, “I will add that there is one permit that is out on the weekends until 11 p.m. The councilor did ask the Parks to shorten that to 10 p.m.” Bronchuck then touched her chest and said that Petty was working hard on the meeting and that E-18 should be invited for that too. Boyle appeared to not know about this other permit until 10 p.m., or his responses would have been different.

Kenya Beaman, a community engagement officer for the City of Boston Planning Department, then joined the call and asked if anyone has had a conversation with the coaches.

“We don’t know who they are. That’s why we are trying to have this meeting,” Hamilton said.

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“Oh, so no one has walked themselves down to the field and introduced themselves to the coaches?” Beaman asked again.

“No, because we were waiting for the Parks Department,” Joy Oliver said. “We don’t know who they are.”

“I understand that. But no one has thought to go down to the park and have a conversation with the coaches,” Beaman said.

“Why?” Mark Oliver said in a burst of anger.

“Excuse me,” Beaman said. “Excuse me,” Beaman said again.

“No, it’s because it’s been a caustic relationship so we want to have E-18, the Parks and a representative from the league. It’s been a frustrating process,” Hamilton said.

“I’m aware,” Beaman said in an upbeat manner.

“Dianna can also attest to the fact that the league is very open to speaking with us,” Petty said.

Joy Oliver brought up the point that no lights exist in the park after sunset, so what are people doing in the park after that point. Mark Oliver said, “The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. And you want me not to swear.”

“You’re doing good so far,” Odom said, swiveling in her chair. Hamilton said residents need to find out why a permit is being issued until 10 p.m. if it’s at a park where there are no lights. “They’re relying on street lights. Correct?” Hamilton asked. “Yes,” Bronchuck said. “That is not reasonable. What are they doing?” Hamilton asked.

“To Zoe’s point about scheduling this meeting sooner rather than later, I agree with Zoe that this should be done in person,” Bronchuck said. Mark Oliver questioned the need for meetings at all since this is the first mention of one in seven years.

“The meeting is to mitigate the issue,” Petty explained. She said the direct abutters should be involved for a resolution. Petty also reminded Oliver that he did not enjoy the comments from the interim Parks Commissioner, and now that the new commissioner is sworn in, it is time for an in-person meeting between all the players.

Ideally, the meeting will happen end of month, Petty said. Petty then tried to lock down a good day and time for all the residents. Joy Oliver said it would have to be during the week, as the league will not want to talk during a game day.