Renovations of baseball and softball fields at Kalamazoo Central High School delayed

Field construction funded by Turn 2 Foundation now slated to begin in 2021 due to current circumstances surrounding COVID-19

Kalamazoo, Michigan -- It was announced Friday that Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation’s renovations of the baseball and softball fields at Kalamazoo Central High School, originally slated for spring 2020, are now scheduled to begin in 2021, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Turn 2 and the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education are working closely to finalize a new timeline for the initiative, as the Foundation also continues to provide support to the Kalamazoo community during this time. The project – valued at $3.2 million and funded by the Turn 2 Foundation – will provide for completely renovated and reoriented fields, outfitted with new seating, new dugouts, and synthetic turf to increase player access.

“This is an incredibly personal project for me as I have so many memories of playing on these fields,” said Derek Jeter. “While we are disappointed to have to delay renovations, the safety of the entire community is paramount.”

“The field renovations are an important initiative which will provide local youth in Kalamazoo with a new space to participate in healthy, constructive activities, and we look forward to moving ahead with this exciting project next year,” said Sharlee Jeter, president of the Turn 2 Foundation. “At the current time, Turn 2 is committed to supporting the community in its efforts to tackle the areas of great need caused by this pandemic and will be supporting local causes in COVID-relief efforts."

Gary Start, interim superintendent of Kalamazoo Public Schools, said, "Last summer, none of us could have imagined experiencing a pandemic when we announced this exciting project for Kalamazoo Central High School. Although it is disappointing to have to delay the project, it is the only option at this point. We are grateful to Derek and Sharlee Jeter and to the Turn 2 Foundation for their continued support of KPS. We look forward to the day when the first pitch is thrown on the new field. It will be worth the wait."

The project was approved by the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education in July 2019, and the funds cover the entire redevelopment of the baseball and softball fields at the Derek Jeter Field Complex. A key element of the new fields will be the reorientation of their layouts, so the batters face the pitching mound in the northeast, minimizing the impact of low afternoon and evening sun angles on the players’ vision. The baseball field will have a synthetic turf field with new sub-base and drainage system, while the softball field will have a new clay infield and synthetic turf outfield with sub-base and drainage system.

Both fields will include new:

  • Elevated aluminum grandstand bleachers
  • Pre-cast concrete dugouts
  • Galvanized fencing, backstop and foul poles
  • Press boxes

The funds will also cover a new clay infield and natural grass practice field, ADA-compliant restrooms and ADA-compliant parking spaces.

Miami Marlins CEO and part owner and 2020 Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee, Derek Jeter, graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1992 and established the Turn 2 Foundation during his rookie year with the New York Yankees. Since its launch in 1996, Turn 2 has helped countless young people reach their full potential by creating and supporting initiatives that promote leadership development, academic achievement, positive behavior, healthy lifestyles and social change.