Grand Opening of Duncan Park Youth Ballfields set for May 3

The Harry Dallara Foundation and the City of Spartanburg will hold a Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for two newly renovated Youth Ballfields at Duncan Park on May 3, 2025.

The program will feature baseball activities for youth from Duncan Park and all of Spartanburg. Speeches will be made by many dignitaries, including the Honorable Jerome Rice, Mayor of Spartanburg, David James, the VP of Major League Baseball (MLB) for Youth Sports, and two former Major League All-Stars, Bobby Richardson and Marquis Grissom. The day’s events will also include the unveiling of a special bas-relief plaque honoring the Spartanburg Sluggers, the Negro League team that played at Duncan Park for over 40 years, as well as a screening of the award-winning movie “The Other Boys of Summer”, a feature film about the Negro Leagues.

The Honorable Mayor Jerome Rice announced “May 3rd will be another banner day for baseball in Spartanburg. Just as we are unveiling a new stadium, Fifth Third Park, for the Hub City Spartanburgers, we will be celebrating the revitalization of youth baseball in the City by having the Grand Opening of two renovated Youth Ballfields at Duncan Park. I extend my warmest congratulations to the Harry Dallara Foundation and all our partners who have brought about this major contribution to youth sports in Spartanburg. We look forward to young boys and girls taking advantage of these newly renovated facilities from every corner of the City, knowing that one day we may see a native of Spartanburg playing baseball at Fifth Third Park after starting at Duncan Park, the historic home of baseball in our City.”

Chairman of the Board of the Harry Dallara Foundation Charles Dallara added “We are very excited that the years of collaboration between our Foundation, the City of Spartanburg and many partners from this wonderful town have brought us to this moment when we can take this major step forward to promote baseball to the youth of Spartanburg. The enhancements made to these two ballfields will create a welcoming location for all youth in the City to learn the skills of baseball and the value of teamwork, broadening the reach of youth baseball into all neighborhoods.”

The ballfield renovations include two enhanced ballfields, new seating for both players and spectators, a beautiful plaza between the two fields, and a completely refurbished bathroom and concession area. The Project has benefited from strong support from the Mary Black Foundation, Spartanburg America Legion Post 28, OneSpartanburg, The Youth Sports Bureau, Hillbrook League, University of South Carolina Upstate, Converse University, Clayton Construction, MLB’s Nike RBI Program, Play, Advocate, Live Well (PAL), and Spartanburg High School District 7. The Project has also benefited greatly from the philanthropic support of leading businesswomen and businessmen from Spartanburg County as well Harry Dallara Foundation supporters throughout the US and abroad.

The public is invited to attend all of these activities, which are all free. If you plan to attend the dinner and evening movie screening, please register at HarryDallaraFoundation@gmail.com. Special commemorative t-shirts, baseball caps and baseballs will be available for sale as part of the Foundation’s fundraising, including select baseballs co-signed by MLB stars, Bobby Richarson and Marquis Grissom.

Events of the Day

10am-12:00pm – “Play Ball” for youth from Duncan Park and other areas in the City of Spartanburg, guided by Luther Norman and Kim Brown with the support from the MLB RBI Program, USC Upstate Baseball Team and Converse University Softball Team

Formal Program: 12:00 – 1:00pm

• Posting of Colors by Spartanburg American Legion Post 28 Honor Guard, followed by the National Anthem sung by Sarah Frances Henderson
• Emcee - Kim Brown – Director, Parks, Recreation & Special Events
• Speakers to include:
• The Honorable Jerome Rice – Mayor, City of Spartanburg
• Mitch Kennedy – Deputy City Manager
• Charles Dallara – Chairman, The Harry Dallara Foundation
• David James – Major League Baseball, VP Baseball and Softball Development
• Bobby Richardson - Major League Baseball 8x All Star, World Series MVP, and 5x Gold Glove Winner
• Marquis Grissom - Major League Baseball All-Star, World Series Champion and Gold Glove Winner
• Luther Norman – Youth Sports Bureau
• Sam Foster – Director, The Harry Dallara Foundation
• Todd Horne – Clayton Construction
• Ribbon-cutting Ceremony
• Unveiling of plaque for The Spartanburg Sluggers: The Honorable Jerome Rice, Bobby Richardson, David James, Marquis Grissom, Luther Norman, David Deming, Sam Foster, Charles Dallara The Harry Dallara Foundation
• 1:00 – 2:15pm - Exhibition game with teams from the Hillbrook League with support from the Hub City Spartanburgers

Saturday evening: Daniel Recital Hall - Converse University [405 Blackman Music Cir, Spartanburg, SC 29302]

• 5:45pm Light dinner
• 6:30-7:30pm Screening of the movie, The Other Boys of Summer – introduced by Lauren Meyer, Co-hosted by Laura Ringo and PAL. Followed by a panel discussion with Marquis Grissom, moderated by Lauren Meyer and Sam Foster.