DETROIT – Renovations for the baseball diamond at Calcara Park in Detroit are underway after a $25,000 grant was given by Comerica Bank.
Building a new baseball diamond is the goal, and it is beginning with cleaning up the existing backdrop, removing turf, building a new infield and installing new player benches for the first phase of renovations to be finished in October. Improving player safety with the addition of bench-area fencing is scheduled for the spring.
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“Comerica is proud to support the youth in our community by providing avenues that allow them to stay active and have quality places to stay,” said Michael T. Ritchie, president of Comerica Bank-Michigan.
As part of Fan Appreciation Weekend, the Detroit Police Athletic League received the grant during an on-field presentation at Comerica Park before the Tigers played this past weekend.
Comerica Bank said the partnership with Detroit PAL and the DPD has been a positive force in building character for young people through athletic, academic and leadership development programs.
Officer Demetrius Pitts, of the Detroit Police Department, was honored as part of the event for his support for Detroit’s youth, and they recognized his role as a mentor for 40 kids and coach for the PAL’s baseball program for the past nine years.
According to Jay Alexander, the manager of philanthropic strategic partnerships, the renovations will present opportunities for Pitts and officers alike to reach out and connect with more children through Detroit PAL and its offered T-ball teams.
“Detroit PAL is striving to keep kids off the street and get more kids involved in positive quality programming during the most critical afternoon hours,” said Alexander.
All renovations are expected to be completed prior to the start of PAL’s youth baseball season.