SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners are just days away from Opening Day. But on Saturday, the organization helped plan another Opening Day for little league and high school teams in south Seattle.
A new legacy begins at one of Seattle’s oldest gems as renovations wrapped up at Rainier Playfield.
"I couldn't be happier to call this field our new home," said John Wright with the Rainier Little League.
Renovations took place under the All-Star Legacy Initiative, which is a partnership introduced last spring between the Mariners, Major League Baseball and the City of Seattle. It's a joint effort to make baseball more equitable and accessible in the area.
Rainier Playfield has been the home to thousands of baseball and softball players for more than 100 years. Now, what was once considered by many as a diamond in the rough is looking brand-new.
The playfield continue to serve as the home turf for Rainier Little League and some south Seattle high schools for years to come.
"It's a really diverse, social and economic neighborhood and it really is a community experience here that's about more than a sport," Wright said. "It's about everybody coming together and watching the future of our community learn and grow and have fun through baseball and softball."
Turf was added to both baseball and softball infields. This Rainier Playfield renovation is one of four All-Star Legacy Initiative projects to make baseball more equitable and accessible in the area. According to MLB officials, the total cost for the projects is more than $2 million.
"This field, this area, it's an epicenter for our kids, our families, for our communities to be healthy and have activities to help them grow and have fun," said Greg Wong, deputy mayor of Seattle.
As the next generation steps up to the plate, several people at Saturday’s event said they believe this renovation is a homerun for this community.
"I hope it holds up for a longtime,” said Wright. “I don't even remember when that last renovation was. I love the investment here. We're going to use it a ton ... So I do truly hope it's a legacy project for the community."