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.
