May 7, 2019 - Baseball players with the Hamilton Park Little League will soon have batting cages at their diamonds at Hamilton Park as a way to improve their hitting skills and encourage more participation in baseball.
The project is a result of a partnership between the City of Fort Wayne, the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department, the Fort Wayne TinCaps, and the San Diego Padres through the Play Ball initiative, a joint effort between the United States Conference of Mayors, Major League Baseball, and Minor League Baseball.
Construction on the new batting cages is underway and is expected to be completed this summer.
Local Union 213 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America is providing in-kind construction services for the concrete work that will be done as part of the project.
“Giving back and making a meaningful difference for kids in our community means a lot,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “The new batting cages will be a great addition to Hamilton Park and provide additional recreational opportunities to help our young people grow and succeed. By working together, we can enhance our quality of life offerings and make Fort Wayne the best city possible.”
“We’re honored to be part of this initiative to bring a new and exciting amenity to Hamilton Park,” said Steve McDaniel, director, Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department. “We appreciate and value the Mayor’s leadership on this project and thank the Fort Wayne TinCaps for being an important partner in this effort as we help Hamilton Park Little League.”
“The TinCaps are always looking for ways to encourage and grow the game of baseball in Fort Wayne,” stated TinCaps President, Mike Nutter. “We know that in order for the next wave of baseball talent to have the opportunity to develop, they need to have the chance to get the instruction they need. Without the necessary facilities, it can be a challenge for even the best coaches to get the most out of their players. This is a project that will have a big impact for Hamilton Park for years to come. Who knows, maybe one of those kids will be playing with us at Parkview Field someday. We are honored to participate in this project and appreciate our Major League Baseball partner the San Diego Padres for their participation as well. They are proud to be a part of this great project as well.”
Play Ball focuses on the fun nature of baseball and encourages widespread participation in related activities. Mayors across the country have implemented the initiative with the goal of strengthening the connection between communities and baseball.
The City and the TinCaps encourage families and individuals to find time to play catch, run bases in the backyard, and implement baseball activities into family gatherings.