It's the oldest of its kind in the U.S., and it's located in Hawaiʻi: 6 things to know
On a warm April morning in Makiki, dozens of baseball fans, historians and city leaders gathered to celebrate a piece of American sports history that many people don't know has deep roots in Hawaiʻi.
At Cartwright Neighborhood Park, the sound of cheers and the crack of a bat rang out not just for a game, but for a legend.
April 17 marked the 205th birthday of Alexander Joy Cartwright Jr., a man many call the 'father of modern baseball'. It was also the day the City and County of Honolulu recognized Cartwright Neighborhood Park as the oldest active baseball field in the United States.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi threw the ceremonial first pitch and unveiled a new sign that proudly explained to the world what local fans have known for generations. Baseball has deep roots in Hawaiʻi.
'Alexander Joy Cartwright is a national treasure,' Mayor Blangiardi said. 'It is only fitting that this park bearing his name be forever recognized as the birthplace of baseball as we know it.'
Back in 1852, Cartwright helped lay out a baseball field on a parcel of land in Makiki. That field introduced many of the basic rules and layout we still use today. There's a diamond-shaped field, 90-foot base paths, nine-player teams and nine-inning games.
That same field, which is now known as Cartwright Field, is still active 173 years later. Athletes of all ages play there and have made it a historic and living part of the community.
Cartwright wasn't just a sports pioneer. He was also a leader in Hawaiian civic life. He served as the first fire chief of Honolulu, served as a trustee at Queen's Hospital, advised Hawaiian royalty like Queen Emma and King David Kalākaua and helped found several major institutions that included what is now First Hawaiian Bank.
His story connects two worlds: the history of baseball in America and the rich cultural and political life of Hawaiʻi in the 1800s.Standing near the pitcher's mound was Anna Cartwright, Cartwright's great-great-granddaughter. Her voice was filled with pride and emotion as she honored her kūpuna and the connection her family still feels to this land.
'On behalf of my entire family and our beloved kūpuna, it is a profound honor to witness this historic moment,' she said. 'This tribute to my great-great-grandfather and the field he laid out 173 years ago reflects not only a significant chapter in baseball history, but also the enduring connection our family shares with this ʻāina and the community.'
She reminded the crowd that baseball in Hawaiʻi is more than just a game. It's about camaraderie, sportsmanship and joy. And those values are still alive at Cartwright Park today.
The celebration was a celebration of our unique history in Hawaii . It was also about the people who are keeping the field vibrant today. Mayor Blangiardi honored several groups and individuals for their hard work.
These includied the Friends of Alexander Joy Cartwright, Jr., the Honolulu Fire Department and Mālama Kīpuka Hawai'i which is a local organization that helps maintain and improve the park.
Their work includes cleaning the grounds, upgrading the field, creating murals and installing signs that teach visitors about Cartwright's legacy. It's part of their kuleana, or responsibility, to care for the spaces that bring people together.
'Sports and recreation are essential to the well-being of our communities,' Blangiardi said. 'Cartwright Park continues to serve as a living tribute to Cartwright's extraordinary legacy and the enduring spirit of baseball in Hawai'i.'
Even though Cartwright died in 1892, his spirit lives on. At Oʻahu Cemetery, fans still leave baseballs, gloves and hoʻokupu (gifts of respect) at his grave. It's a reminder of how deeply he's remembered, not just for what he did for baseball, but for what he gave to Hawaiʻi.
This year, Mayor Blangiardi made it official: April 17 is now Alexander Joy Cartwright Jr. Day in Honolulu.
Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8
So, the next time you hear 'play ball!' in Makiki, know that you're standing on the grass and dirt that are part of long legacy. You're standing on history, a history where key elements of modern baseball were shaped.
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