DETROIT – Comerica Park wasn’t the only ballfield hosting an important game on Memorial Day.
In observance of Memorial Day, the Full Count Foundation honored Private First Class Raymond Manz, a Southeastern High School graduate who fought in World War II and made the ultimate sacrifice in battle during one of the war’s final missions.
A dedication ceremony included the placement of a temporary marker bearing Manz’s name on the field on Monday (May 26) over at Ryan Manz Field on Conner Street during the first-ever “In Memory of” Classic.
A Detroiter who’s helped maintain the field for 10 years stopped by to throw out the first pitch of today’s game between Osborn High School and Harper Woods High School.
“They’re honoring him because the field was named after him, and they asked me to come throw out the first pitch because of my military background; you know it’s Memorial Day, so I said, ‘I don’t have no problem with that,’” said Navy veteran Ronald Custard.
Custard served in the Navy for 20 years.
The Full Count Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary of Fostering Youth baseball and mentorship programs across Metro Detroit.