Dallara Foundation announces the Grand Opening of the Dallara Baseball Field in Tryon, NC on September 5, 2020

The Harry Dallara Foundation has announced that on September 5, 2020 there will be a Grand Opening of the Dallara Ball Field at Harmon Field in Tryon, NC.

Festivities will commence at 10 am and continue until 2 pm and will include:

  • Opening speeches by local dignitaries, including Mayor Alan Peoples and  Chairman of the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors Steve Nelon;

  • Keynote address by Bobby Richardson, former NY Yankee star second baseman and MVP of the 1960 World Series;

  • Letters of Congratulation from distinguished African American Major League baseball players;

  • Unveiling of the statue of Harry Dallara and the bas-relief plaque honoring the Tryon All Stars with remarks by sculptor David Deming;

  • 3 inning inaugural baseball game by 6-12 year old youth from Polk County, organized by the Polk County Recreation Dept. *;

  • Free BBQ Lunch for all guests;

  • Live Music;

  • Baseball clinic led by Joel Booker, native of Tryon and Minor League professional baseball player with Chicago White Sox.

"I am delighted that the time has come, after many years of preparation, to formally open the Harry Dallara Ball Field at Harmon Field. We are excited by the prospect of this renovated field helping generations of youth, from all backgrounds, learn the game of baseball at this renovated field", stated Charles Dallara, Chairman of the Foundation. He added, " My father built his life in Spartanburg after WWII. He also fell in love with Tryon and, in particular, Harmon Field. He would be very proud to know that in his name generations of diverse children will be able to enjoy the finest ball field in the Carolinas." Mayor Alan Peoples echoed these sentiments with the following comment, " I am very impressed by the major improvements which have been completed at Harmon Field on what will now be called the Harry Dallara Ball Field. Without any cost to the people of Tryon, the Dallara Foundation and its donors have made a lasting contribution that can benefit significantly the children of Polk County." Stephen Nelon, Chairman of the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors added, " The improvements accomplished on the Dallara Field, funded by the Foundation, have created a jewel for baseball in Tryon. We are proud to have worked with the Town Council and the Foundation in support of these enhancements. Coming on the heels of the recent renovation of the playground at Harmon Field, we now have an even more spectacular set of facilities for the enjoyment of the citizens of Tryon, Polk County, and the broader Piedmont."

Among the changes which have been made are new:

  • Outfield grass, with irrigation system and installation of infield grass (the first in Polk County);

  • Storm drainage and infield sub-surface drainage;

  • Ballfield fencing;

  • Bleachers;

  • Dugouts covered by shadecloth;

  • Parking spaces;

  • Extended walkways;

  • Low-level pedestrian lights;

  • Trees;

  • Electronic scoreboard;

  • Benches and seatwalls.

In addition, a new plaza has been created around the Harry Dallara statue and a special baseball insignia created at the base of the plaque of the Tryon All Stars.  

Gordon Hamilton, a Director of the Foundation stated, "The unveiling of the special bronze plaque in honor of the Tryon All Stars team constitutes an important milestone in remembering these talented young men who represented Tryon in the Negro Leagues. It also signifies the Foundation's commitment, along with the Town of Tryon, to a community which promotes diversity and respects the humanity in all of us.  As a Board member of the Foundation I am proud to have been associated with the creation of this plaque and with the legacy that it now will carry forward." Both the Harry Dallara statue and the plaque of the All Stars were created by the renowned sculptor David Deming of Cleveland, Ohio. David has created many works of art and statues of note over the years, including Larry Brown, the famed running back of the Cleveland Browns and Frank Robinson, the first African American manager in the Major Leagues. 

In support of the Foundation's  commitment to the plaque of the Tryon All Stars, Denny's Corporation has decided to partner with the Foundation. It is making a $10,000 contribution specifically toward the cost of the creation and installation of the plaque. Denny's Chief Executive Officer, John Miller stated "We at Denny’s are humbled to play a role in supporting the Harry Dallara Foundation and honoring both his legacy and that of the Tryon All Stars,” said Denny’s CEO John Miller. “Harry understood the need for inclusivity and the potential for sports to bring together people from different backgrounds to work towards a common goal.” Sam Foster, Senior Advisor to the Foundation's Board of Directors added,  " We are honored that Denny's has decided to lend its corporate support to this special project. It is especially impressive that they have done so in the midst of this economic crisis, and it speaks to their underlying commitment to promoting solidarity in the communities they serve".

The Grand Opening on September 5th will be held in strict conformance with the Covid-19 policies and regulations in force at that time in the state of North Carolina, Polk County, and the Town of Tryon. Under current policies, all attendees are asked to wear masks and to engage in social distancing. We are making arrangements to ensure that both seating during the ceremony and the luncheon will be fully consistent with social distancing. 

*This game will be played only with the approval of appropriate authorities and with all safety precautions.

You can learn more about the Foundation in detail at www.harrydallarafoundation.org.


Grand Opening of Harmon Field

The comprehensive plan to renovate the Harry Dallara ball field at Harmon Field in Tryon is nearing completion. Final improvements such as installation of a new scoreboard, creation of additional sidewalks and other amenities are now coming to fruition. In addition, the Harry Dallara statue and bas-relief plaque were prepared for installation by late April.

A Grand Opening was tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 13th including an opening ceremony, an inaugural ball game, a picnic and music. Due to the coronavirus, this event has obviously been postponed.

We would hope to be in a position to reschedule the opening for September of this year but will need to delay any firm decision until the appropriate authorities deem it suitable to engage in renewed collective activities. At that time, we look forward to this Grand Opening being a wonderful day of renewed community engagement and a celebration of Harmon Field and all of its attractions.

Harmon Field Soft Opening

Charles Dallara, Chairman of the Harry Dallara Foundation, replete with his baseball cleats

Charles Dallara, Chairman of the Harry Dallara Foundation, replete with his baseball cleats

On Wednesday 8 May, the Harry Dallara Foundation sponsored a “Soft-Opening” of the Harry Dallara Ballfield at Harmon Field. It was a sparkling Spring day and the event was very successful in signaling to Tryon and the broader communities of the Piedmont area that this Ballfield is open and ready for play, both organized and casual family games.

Work on Phase 1 of the Ballfield is largely complete, including installation of new: infield grass (the only one in the entire region for 6 to 12 year olds); outfield grass; a sprinkler system; fencing and dugouts; stands for family members; a plaza for seating and visual placement of the Harry Dallara statue; and trees.

The program included opening remarks by Charles Dallara, Chairman of the Foundation Board, and welcoming remarks by both Mayor Alan Peoples and Chairman of the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors, Benny Smith. Mark Byington, the project landscaper, summarized enhancements already made to the Ballfield as well as those which will unfold as part of Phase 2.

Charles Dallara with his brother, Dale Dallara

Charles Dallara with his brother, Dale Dallara

Gordon Hamilton, a Foundation board member, brought attendees up-to-date on plans for both the Harry Dallara statue and bas relief plaque of the Tryon All Stars. They will both be installed and unveiled simultaneously in the Spring of 2020.

Jerry Stensland, Director of the Polk County Recreation Department, added his support for the substantial improvements of the Harry Dallara Ballfield, and outlined his plans to work with community and town leadership to bring more baseball to Harmon Field.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, which was attended by approximately 30 people, Charles Dallara and Mayor Peoples both threw out "first pitches.” Although it was not entirely certain that they were in the strike zone, referee Gordon Hamilton applied a liberal interpretation of the strike zone and called them both strikes. Mason Littlefield, a young catcher who plays in the Polk County Recreational League, ably caught both balls.

Charles Dallara, Adrian Dallara and Dale Dallara

Charles Dallara, Adrian Dallara and Dale Dallara

Integral to the Harry Dallara Foundation’s Mission is our desire to honor the Tryon All-Stars, a semi-professional African-American baseball team organized in 1940s, by placing a memorial to the team in a prominent location within the Harmon Field complex. Even though the All-Stars brought considerable recognition to their place of birth, they were not allowed to play at Harmon Field because of then current policies regarding segregation. As such, we feel that it is time to recognize these young men for their courage, talent, and dignity. This will also serve as a powerful symbol to today’s youth that all children in the area are welcome to play baseball on the Harry Dallara Ballfield, as well as more generally throughout Harmon Field.

Charles Dallara throws the first pitch at Harmon Field with Mason Littlefield catching and Gordon Hamilton umpiring

Charles Dallara throws the first pitch at Harmon Field with Mason Littlefield catching and Gordon Hamilton umpiring

Mayor Alan Peoples throwing a second “first pitch”

Mayor Alan Peoples throwing a second “first pitch”

FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES "SOFT-OPENING" OF THE HARRY DALLARA BALLFIELD AT HARMON FIELD

The Harry Dallara Foundation has scheduled a "Soft-Opening" for the Dallara Ballfield at Harmon Field on Wednesday 8 May at 10:00am.

The work on Phase 1 of the newly enhanced state-of-the-art ballfield has been largely completed. Since the Harry Dallara Ballfield is now playable, the Foundation plans to announce to Tryon and the broader communities of Polk County and the Upstate that young boys and girls are now welcome to play at the field.

The Foundation Chairman Charles Dallara stated:

"We have made major progress in recent months in implementing many improvements to the Harry Dallara Ballfield at Harmon Field. Although the final additions to the ballfield, including unveiling of a statue of Harry Dallara and a bas-relief plaque of the Tryon All Stars, will not be fully completed until early 2020, we wanted to go ahead and welcome the youth of this area to enjoy the benefits of this major upgrade at Harmon Field.

I would like to emphasize that young boys and girls of all backgrounds are welcome to hone their baseball skills at Harmon Field. We also would encourage Polk County recreational officials, as well as community organizations, to begin planning greater use of Harmon Field in coordination with the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors and their staff.

With the recent major renovations to the playground, the improvements envisaged for the basketball court and these enhancements at the Harry Dallara Ballfield, Harmon Field, is becoming an even more attractive magnet for families from throughout the area. It is on the way to becoming one of the premier family recreational sites in the southeast.

All residents of the community are welcome to attend the 'Soft-Opening' and enjoy light refreshments following the ceremony. The Honorable J. Alan Peoples, Mayor of Tryon, and Benny Smith, Chairman of the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors, will speak at the event along with Foundation Board officials.

Harmon Field Renovation Underway!

Upcoming Harmon Field Project Completion

Spartanburg Herald Photo .jpg

Written by: Adam Orr, Spartanburg Herald Journal Staff Writer

The foundation working on a major renovation of a beloved ball field in Tryon, N.C., announced last week that work is more than half complete.

Charles Dallara said Thursday stonework has largely been completed around Ball Field A inside the park at Harmon Field, while new stands, along with new fencing around the field, are due to be installed soon.

“Our hope is to have a soft opening this spring and a formal unveiling of the statue and plaque this fall,” Dallara said.

The upgrades are in honor of Charles Dallara’s late father, Harry Dallara, who died in 2012 at the age of 95. The Harry Dallara Foundation has raised more than $400,000 to date for the project and is seeking

$150,000 more to finish it off.

In addition to stonework, fencing and field renovation, the project will include a new scoreboard and landscaping to create a park-like atmosphere. It’ll also feature a bronze statue of Harry Dallara inspired by a photograph of him hitting a baseball at the age of 92.

A fundraiser will be held on Feb. 4, from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Harley Room of the Richardson Building, at 303 Evins Street, on the campus of Wofford College. University of South Carolina Athletic Director Ray Tanner, who won two College World Series titles as coach of the Gamecocks, will be the keynote speaker.

A Bronx, N.Y. native, Harry Dallara moved to the Hub City in 1945, raised a family and kick-started a long career with Sears — a job that earned him monikers “Mr. Sears,” and “Mr. Tire,” around town. A lifelong baseball fan, Dallara said his father fell in love with Harmon Field, tucked away in Tryon, the first time he laid eyes on it.

“He was always pulling together who he could to get to the field, just to enjoy the game,” Dallara said.

“Just to be there, to swing the bat and to take it all in.”

Today, Harmon Field is a 36-acre athletic complex featuring baseball fields, tennis courts, walking trails, equestrian facilities along with a picnic, playground and camping areas. Harmon Field was donated to the town in 1927.

The field, however, wasn’t always an inviting place to play pitch and catch for everyone. During segregation, Dallara said the African American semi-pro Tryon All-Stars squad was barred from taking the field at Harmon.

That’s why Dallara said a bas-relief plaque designed to honor the team will also be installed as part of the project.

It’s a way to both remember the area’s history, Dallara said, and act as a guide for the future of Harmon Field. He said part of the foundation’s mission will be to sponsor area youth, with an emphasis on African American and Hispanic children, to encourage them to play the game of baseball.

“Coming at a time of racial and social stress, the worst I’ve seen since I was a kid, this is something we can do in our own small way to make an impact,” Dallara said. “And that’s something I think my dad would have enjoyed.”

Harry Dallara Memorial Annual Fundraiser- February 4th

HARRY DALLARA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER

When: Monday, February 4, 2019, 6:00pm – 8:30pm

Where: Wofford College – Harley Room

303 Evins Street (at the end of Evins Street)

Spartanburg, SC  29303

FEATURED SPEAKER

Ray Tanner

Athletic Director, University of South Carolina

Coach of NCAA College World Series Champion USC Gamecocks

2010 and 2011

Minimum Donation: $25.00 per person

Dinner will be provided Courtesy of Jeff Hodges of Holden's Ranch

Including their World Famous Chicken Stew

RSVP no later than Friday, January 25 to: gale.hagan-gayta@partnersgroup.com or call +1 212 908 2766

Harry Dallara Foundation Mission

The Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation was established to honor the life and memory of Harry Anthony Joseph Dallara (1917–2012). Harry grew up in the Bronx and settled in Spartanburg after serving in World War II, where he was awarded a Purple Heart. He spent the rest of his entire adult life living and raising his family in Spartanburg. He worked for years as a tire and automotive salesman at the old Sears on North Church Street where he became known as "Mr. Sears" (see attached article from the Spartanburg Herald Journal). Upon his retirement from Sears, Harry then started a new career as a rose gardener at Converse College where he developed a second nickname, that of "The Rose Man" (see attached article from the 1990 Converse Yearbook).

As far back as the 1950's Harry discovered Tryon, North Carolina, and Harmon Field, an athletic facility donated to the Town of Tryon by the Harmon Foundation in 1927. The complex includes baseball fields, tennis courts, walking trails, equestrian facilities, picnic and playground areas, camping sites, and other opportunities for family activities. Over the years, Harry spent many Sunday afternoons at Harmon Field playing baseball with family and friends, often enjoying a picnic as well. He played his last game there in the spring of 2012 at the age of 95.

The Harry Dallara Foundation has committed its energy and financial resources to making significant improvements to the baseball facilities. All of the improvements envisioned by the Foundation are intended to enhance the enjoyment of those who make use of Harmon Field and to promote additional interest in this family-oriented athletic facility by boys and girls of all ethnic backgrounds. We aim to reach children from all parts of the Piedmont region, including Spartanburg and Greenville Counties, as well as other towns and counties in the Carolinas. We also aim to build bridges internationally, especially between the US and Japan, where baseball is also a very popular sport. We hope to develop sporting and cultural exchanges with Japan that will benefit communities in both countries.

Project Scope

Plans for the Project call for a complete renovation of one of Harmon Field’s baseball diamonds, including new fencing and gates, a new scoreboard, and landscaping to create a park-like atmosphere. The Project will include a commissioned bronze statue of Harry Dallara inspired by a photograph of Harry hitting a baseball at the age of 92. In addition, there will be a bas-relief sculpture to honor the Tryon All Stars, a semi-professional African-American baseball team formed in the 1940s, which, because of segregation, were not allowed to play at Harmon Field during that era.

Ways to Give

You can make a gift in one of several ways:

  • Attend the Fundraiser and make a gift at that time

  • Make a gift directly to the Foundation by mailing a check to the Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation, Att: Charles H. Dallara, Chairman, c/o Partners Group (USA), The Grace Building, 1114 Ave of the Americas, 37th Floor, New York, NY 10036 or by wire transfer to BB&T Bank, Fairfax, VA, SWIFT Code: BRBTUS33, Routing Number: 051404260, Account Number: 250302339.

  • Underwrite the cost of a portion of the Project (e.g. the bas-relief, team gear and uniforms, score-board, etc.).

  • DonateDonate an item to be auctioned at the Fundraiser on February 4, 2019. To confirm your auction item contact Gale Hagan-Gayta (gale.hagan-gayta@partnersgroup.com) 212-908-2766) or Charles Dallara (charles.dallara@partnersgroup.com, 212-908-2782).

The Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible.

For additional information on our Mission, visit us on our website www.harrydallarafoundation.org

Tryon All Stars.png

Dallara Foundation Holds Successful Fundraiser

The Harry Dallara Foundation held a successful fundraiser at Sunnydale in Tryon on March 20, 2018. The event included a barbecue dinner from Holden's Ranch in Spartanburg, wine, beer, and soft drinks from The Bottle in Tryon, and both live and silent auctions with merchandise and gift certificates from Tryon residents and businesses (as well as baseball memorabilia from various sources).

Also included were an overview of the project provided by landscape architect Mark Byington, a presentation on the Tryon All-stars by Gordon Hamilton, a video presentation on the life of Harry Dallara by Steve Parris, and remarks by guest speaker Bobby Richardson, former New York Yankee second baseman and the 1960 World Series MVP

Approximately 45 individuals were in attendance.

A total of about $71,000 was raised, including proceeds from the auctions, a matching gift from Charles and Peixin Dallara, and contributions from individuals who were unable to attend the event.

"We were extremely pleased with the fundraiser, both in the number of attendees and the amount raised," said Charles Dallara. 'Many individuals worked very hard to make the event a success." 

All proceeds will go to fund the project at Harmon Field.

Charles Dallara listens to former Yew York Yankee Bobby Richardson tell a story about the 1960 World Series.

Charles Dallara listens to former Yew York Yankee Bobby Richardson tell a story about the 1960 World Series.

Tryon Fundraiser 1.jpg

Charles Dallara welcomes his great uncle, 94-year old Isaac Bryant.

Mark Byington provides a project overview.

Mark Byington provides a project overview.

Attendees enjoy a barbecue meal from Holden's Ranch

Attendees enjoy a barbecue meal from Holden's Ranch

Guests listen to a presentation on the project.

Guests listen to a presentation on the project.

Mayor Alan Peoples provides remarks on "everyman" Harry Dallara.

Mayor Alan Peoples provides remarks on "everyman" Harry Dallara.

Former New York Yankee Bobby Richardson discusses some baseball history.

Former New York Yankee Bobby Richardson discusses some baseball history.

Charles Dallara makes introductory remarks with Bobby Richardson in the foreground.

Charles Dallara makes introductory remarks with Bobby Richardson in the foreground.

Watch the video of the fundraiser

Fundraiser Scheduled for Tuesday, March 20, 2018

The Harry Dallara Foundation will hold a fundraiser on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Sunnydale in Tryon. Special guest and featured speaker will be Mr. Bobby Richardson, New York Yankee Second Baseman from 1955 through 1966 and 1960 World Series MVP.

 

Although the foundation has raised approximately $400,000 from national and international private donors, it has not yet asked for gifts from individuals and businesses in Tryon and the greater Piedmont region. Now is your opportunity to help us reach our goal of raising an additional $300,000 needed to complete the project.

 

The Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation was established to honor the life and memory of Harry Anthony Joseph Dallara (1917–2012), who grew up in the Bronx, settled in the Piedmont area of South Carolina after serving in World Ward II, and soon thereafter discovered Tryon, North Carolina, and Harmon Field, a 36-acre athletic complex donated to the Town of Tryon by the Harmon Foundation in 1927. The complex includes baseball fields, tennis courts, walking trails, equestrian facilities, picnic and playground areas, camping sites, and other opportunities for family activities.

 

To honor its namesake, the Harry Dallara Foundation has committed its energy and financial resources to making significant improvements to the baseball facilities at the sports complex. All of the improvements envisioned by the Foundation are intended to enhance the enjoyment of those who make use of Harmon Field, to promote additional interest in this family-oriented athletic facility by boys and girls of all ethnic backgrounds, building bridges across all parts of the Tryon community and the Piedmont region.

 

Plans for the project call for a complete renovation of one of Harmon Field’s baseball diamonds, including new fencing and gates, a new scoreboard, and landscaping to create a park-like atmosphere. The project will feature a commissioned bronze statue of Harry Dallara inspired by a photograph of Harry hitting a baseball at the age of 92. In addition, there will be a bas-relief sculpture designed to honor the Tryon All Stars, a semi-professional negro baseball team formed in the early 1940s, which, because of segregation, were not allowed to play at Harmon Field during that era.

 

There are several ways to support the project:

 

o   Attend the fundraiser and make a gift at that time

o   Make a gift directly to the foundation by mailing a check to the Harry Dallara Foundation at The Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation, Att: Charles H. Dallara, Chairman, c/o Partners Group USA, The Grace Building, 1114 Ave of the Americas, 37th Floor, New York, NY 10036 or by wire transfer to BB&T Bank, Fairfax, VA, SWIFT Code: BRBTUS33, Routing Number: 051404260, Account Number: 0252209697

o   Underwrite the cost of a portion of the project (e.g. the bas relief, team gear and uniforms, scoreboard, etc). The cost of such items can be obtained at the fundraiser on March 21, 2018.

o   Donate an item to be auctioned off at the fundraiser on March 20, 2018. To confirm your auction item, contact Gale Hagan Gayta (gale.hagan-gayta@partnersgroup.com 212-908-2766), Charles Dallara (charles.dallara@partnersgroup.com 212-908-2782).

The Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation is an IRS approved 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Donations to the foundation are tax deductible.

 

Please feel free to visit us on line at harrydallarafoundaton.org.

 

Dallara Foundation Hosts Successful Groundbreaking

On Friday, February 23, 2018, the Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to launch its planned project at Harmon Field. The ceremony began at 10:00 am, near the site of the proposed improvements. Approximately 30 residents of Tryon attended the event, along with representatives of the Dallara Foundation, members of the Dallara family, and other guests.

 

The ceremony began with remarks by Charles Dallara, chairman of the Dallara Foundation and son of the foundation’s namesake. Mr. Dallara began by thanking those in attendance and went on to provide background information about Harry Dallara’s love for Tryon and Harmon Field, particulars of the project scope, and a vision for reviving organized sports at the athletic facility.

 

The project will include revitalization of the baseball diamond, new fencing and gates, ground-level dugouts, and a new scoreboard. In addition, there will be a bronze statue of Harry Dallara, inspired by a photograph of him hitting a baseball at the age of 92, and a bas-relief sculpture honoring the Tryon All-Stars. Walkways, park benches, and natural stone will create a park-like setting.

 

Additional remarks were made by Alan Peoples, Mayor of Tryon, Benny Smith, Chairman of the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors, and Gordon Hamilton, member of the Dallara Foundation Board of Directors.

 

Each speaker emphasized the importance of building communication bridges across ethnic and socioeconomic boundaries, the process of which is vital to the success of the project.

Groundbreaking 15.jpg

Charles and Peixin Dallara

Left fo right: Charles Dallara, Harmon Field Board of Supervisors Chairman Benny Smith, Tryon Mayor Alan Peoples, and Dallara Foundation Director Gordon Hamilton.

Left fo right: Charles Dallara, Harmon Field Board of Supervisors Chairman Benny Smith, Tryon Mayor Alan Peoples, and Dallara Foundation Director Gordon Hamilton.

Watch Harmon Field Groundbreaking Video

Groundbreaking Scheduled for Friday, February 23, 2018, at 10:00 AM

The Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at Harmon Field on Friday, February 23, 2018, to formalize the beginning of a major upgrade to the athletic complex. The event will begin at 10:00 am and will conclude with light refreshments in the Harmon Field Log Cabin at 11:30 am.

 

Project Scope

 

Plans for the project call for a complete renovation of one of Harmon Field’s baseball diamonds, including new fencing and gates, a new scoreboard, and landscaping to create a park-like atmosphere. The centerpiece of the project will be a commissioned bronze statue of Harry Dallara inspired by a photograph of Harry hitting a baseball at the age of 92. In addition, there will be a bas-relief sculpture designed to honor the Tryon All Stars, a semi-professional negro baseball team formed in the early 1940s, which, because of segregation, were not allowed to play at Harmon Field during that era.

 

About the Harry Dallara Foundation (www.harrydallarafoundation.org)

 

The Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation was established to honor the life and memory of Harry Anthony Joseph Dallara (1917–2012), who grew up in the Bronx, settled in the Piedmont area of South Carolina after serving in World Ward II, and soon thereafter discovered Tryon, North Carolina, and Harmon Field, a 46-acre athletic complex donated to the Town of Tryon by the Harmon Foundation in 1927. The complex includes baseball fields, tennis courts, walking trails, equestrian facilities, picnic and playground areas, camping sites, and other opportunities for family activities.

To honor its namesake, the Harry Dallara Foundation has committed its energy and financial resources to making significant improvements to the baseball facilities at the sports complex. All of the improvements envisioned by the Foundation are intended to enhance the enjoyment of those who make use of Harmon Field, to promote additional interest in this family-oriented athletic facility, by boys and girls of all ethnic backgrounds, building bridges across all parts of the Tryon community and the Piedmont region. 

 

Spartanburg Herald-Journal Publishes Feature on Harmon Field Project

On Wednesday, May 4, 2016, The Spartanburg Herald-Journal published a feature article on the planned improvements and upgrades at Harmon Field in Tryon, North Carolina. Written by Trevor Anderson, the article provided details of the plan by the Harry Dallara Memorial Foundation to honor the long-term resident of Spartanburg and baseball enthusiast. We were happy to see that news of the project spreading to an area of the Piedmont where Harry was loved and admired by so many. 

Tryon Town Council and Harmon Field Board Endorse Dallara Foundation Project

On Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at a joint meeting of the Tryon Town Council and the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors, both groups voted unanimously to endorse the Harry Dallara Foundation’s plan for improvements and upgrades to Harmon Field. 

After a presentation by Foundation board member Charles Dallara, Steve Parris, and landscape architect Mark Byington, Mayor Alan Peoples and the Town Council, and Chairman Benny Smith and other members of the Harmon Field Board of Advisors gave the Foundation formal endorsements to proceed with the project which will consist of bringing the project to completion—including ball field improvements, the splash pad, the statue honoring Harry Dallara, and the bas relief sculpture to honor the Tryon All-Stars, the African American semi-professional baseball team formed in Tryon in the 1940s. The Dallara Foundation is committed to raising $1.5 million for construction, landscaping, and other aesthetics—as well as an endowment to cover ongoing maintenance costs after the project’s completion. 

These endorsements by both governing bodies are timely, in that they enable the Harry Dallara Foundation to pursue funding from local, regional, national, and international sources. 

In addition to gifts that will come from family and friends, the Foundation will provide opportunities for charitable organizations, private companies, and perhaps even individuals to sponsor elements of the project that hold a special interest for them. Both the splash pad and the ball field improvements represent investment opportunities for those with interests in child development and health fitness. The bas-relief sculpture of the Tryon All-Stars is a perfect project to be underwritten by an organization with an interest in diversity, race relations, social justice, or the history of African-American baseball. Given the varied nature of the project components, there is something of interest for everyone. For a more detailed list of sponsorship opportunities, see the “Sponsorship Opportunities” section of this site, or simply contact Charles Dallara at charles.dallara@partnersgroup.com or Steve Parris at steve.parris@charter.net.

Harry Dallara Foundation Celebrates Inaugural Dinner

On July 13, 2015, the Harry Dallara Foundation held a gala dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in midtown Manhattan to celebrate the official establishment of the foundation, provide details of the special project planned at Harmon Field in Tryon, North Carolina, and to raise initial funds for the effort.

The event was hosted by Charles and Peixin Dallara and was attended by guests from around the world—including China, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. The program featured a short video honoring the life of Harry Dallara.

Our special guest and keynote speaker was Mr. Bobby Richardson, former New York Yankee second baseman and member of Yankee baseball dynasty of the 1960’s. Mr. Richardson was accompanied by his wife, Betsy, and daughter, Jeannie Kay.

Two auctions—one live and one silent—provided dinner attendees with opportunities to bid on baseball memorabilia, weekend vacation packages, and other special-interest opportunities.

For all who participated in any way, we thank you. See you at Harmon Field!

Click on the pictures below to see a slideshow of the event.