New diamond at Willie Mays Park to be commemorated on Juneteenth
FAIRFIELD, Ala. (WIAT) — A new competitive diamond will be celebrated at Willie Mays Park on Juneteenth, according to MLB on Tuesday.
MLB Together, which is a community assistance platform, will assist in revealing a renovated baseball and softball field at Fairfield's Willie Mays Park. State Sen. Merika Coleman, councilmembers E.J. Foster, Cedric Norman, and Barakas Taylor, Mays' son Michael Mays, the Peavy Family Foundation and other community stakeholders are expected to be at the celebration.
The late MLB great, who would have turned 94 on Tuesday, was raised in Fairfield.
City looks for community input on renovations to Willie Mays Park
MLB stated though the field has turned unplayable for most competitive games, the refurbished facility will serve generations of youth baseball players. Groups like Miles College, the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club and the local NIKE RBI program among others are expected to use Willie Mays Park.
The 2024 MLB Winter Meetings Charity Auction helped raised initial proceeds for the refurbished field. Also on Juneteenth, Rickwood Field will play host to the East-Week Classic, which recognizes the all-star games from the Negro Leagues.
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