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
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
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
Mayor Alan Peoples throwing a second “first pitch”