Indians, MLB unveil new youth All-Star Field 

CLEVELAND -- Major League Baseball and the Indians' week-long All-Star celebration continued on Saturday, with Legacy Project No. 2 unveiled at a youth field in a Cleveland neighborhood.

Several young ballplayers, their families, local residents and dignitaries from MLB and the Indians were on hand to applaud the unveiling of All-Star Field at Luke Easter Park, a brand-new turfed facility in Mt. Pleasant that will give kids the opportunity to play baseball in a safe and quality environment.

The field is named after former Indians first baseman and right fielder Luke Easter, the 11th player in Major League history to integrate baseball, and the fourth Indian to do so, joining Larry Doby, Satchel Paige and Minnie Minoso on the 1949 Cleveland roster.

"We are honored that his legacy lives on and is strong here at this ballfield," said Bob DiBiasio, the Indians' senior vice president of public affairs.

The refurbishments at Luke Easter Park include installation of turf, which will ensure safe play despite poor weather, as well as the installation of new dugouts and bleachers. Renovations will facilitate daily play for youth baseball and softball organizations in the area. Doosan Bobcat, the global leader in construction equipment, donated machinery to help complete the refurbishment project.

Among the dignitaries at the field dedication were majority owner Paul Dolan and his wife, Karen, Larry Doby Jr. and three-time All-Star Carlos Baerga, a member of the 1990s-era Indians who is serving as an All-Star ambassador throughout the week.

"What Major League Baseball is doing -- it's not just the game inside the field, it's off the field -- helping communities, building ballparks like this, that's what it's all about," Baerga said.

Then he spoke directly to the youth ballplayers in attendance.

“I would like to be your age, again," Baerga said. "I would like to have this opportunity. When I walked in with [Doby Jr.], I said 'Wow, this is beautiful.'"

One of the youth ballplayers in attendance, Andrew Cole, was invited to speak on behalf of his team. Cole expressed appreciation to his parents and grandmother for all of the encouragement they've provided in his life.

"I was thinking of all of the good things that have happened to me, and trying to be grateful," Cole said. "This field is one of the other things I'm grateful for."

The Indians have dedicated time and resources to youth baseball over the years. They sponsor 10 baseball and softball teams within the Cleveland school district each year and host the baseball championship at Progressive Field. They also provide uniforms and funding for the city's recreation league, training for coaches and camps and skill development training for all youth.

And, they renovate baseball fields. Before All-Star week concludes, MLB and the Indians will have unveiled two newly renovated youth fields.

"The Play Ball initiative is our game's collective effort to ensure kids are playing our sport -- baseball and softball -- on safe, beautiful places," said Melanie LeGrande, MLB's vice president of social responsibility. "As part of that, and as a complement to that, we are excited to make renovating ballfields an integral part of what we do to get kids playing our sport, again, in safe and beautiful places."