American Legion Post donates flagpole for new Little League field
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| American Legion members and MDLL parents put up a flagpole. |
A flagpole donated by American Legion Bicentennial Post 1976
in Annandale was installed at a new baseball field used by the Mason District Little League at Mason District Park Aug. 17.
in Annandale was installed at a new baseball field used by the Mason District Little League at Mason District Park Aug. 17.
The Washington Nationals’ Dream Foundation donated funds to the
MDLL for the new field. The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated field on Aug. 28 at 10:30.
MDLL for the new field. The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated field on Aug. 28 at 10:30.
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| Tim Sample, MDLL vice president, and Roy McCracken, commander of American Legion Post 1976, shake hands after the flagpole was installed. |
The $674,000 project includes new turf, scoreboard, batting
cages, ball pen, dugouts, and signage. The Fairfax County Park Authority used
funds from a park bond to provide new LED lighting and other improvements. The new field is larger
than the old one, so it can accommodate players age 12 and older.
cages, ball pen, dugouts, and signage. The Fairfax County Park Authority used
funds from a park bond to provide new LED lighting and other improvements. The new field is larger
than the old one, so it can accommodate players age 12 and older.
The foundation’s goal is to provide a new or renovated field
to a different Little League organization every year, says MDLL President Phil
Headley. This is the foundation’s first field project in
Virginia.
to a different Little League organization every year, says MDLL President Phil
Headley. This is the foundation’s first field project in
Virginia.
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| The new scoreboard. |
The new field is named for former Nationals’ catcher Ivan
“Pudge” Rodriguez, who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of
Fame in 2017. He is the first player inducted into the Hall of Fame who wore the Nationals uniform.
“Pudge” Rodriguez, who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of
Fame in 2017. He is the first player inducted into the Hall of Fame who wore the Nationals uniform.
“He is a phenomenal catcher and a revered, beloved player,” said
MDLL parent John Gruzik. Rodriguez is expected to appear at the Aug. 28
ceremony.
