The Oak Ridge Baseball Complex on Wilberforce Avenue could be re-named the Joe Mason Baseball Complex in honor of long-time community volunteer Joe Mason.
The Oak Ridge City Council will consider the re-naming during its Monday night meeting.
Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Director Jonathan Hetrick said administrators at Oak Ridge Schools and the Baseball Boosters Association have requested the re-naming.
“Mr. Mason is a 1958 graduate of Oak Ridge High School, where he lettered in baseball and football,” Hetrick said. “He has continued to support high school athletics in Oak Ridge, especially baseball, throughout his life. He spent many years coaching youth baseball in Oak Ridge. For over 30 years, he has led the maintenance efforts of the home field for the high school baseball team, Bobby Hopkins Field, along with the other ballfields at the complex.
“Mr. Mason’s efforts have elevated the quality of the ballfields to a level that bring great pride to the community. He has purchased maintenance equipment with his own funds and donated countless hours of his time. Mr. Mason’s efforts have positively impacted the lives of thousands of Oak Ridge youth over the years.”
Hetrick said the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Advisory Board unanimously endorsed the re-naming during a February 9 meeting.
The Monday night City Council meeting starts at 7 p.m. April 10 in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom. See the agenda here.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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Rick Wilson says
I urge the city to move forward with the renaming of the baseball complex. My son played baseball for ORHS 2013-16 and I got to know Joe during that time. His tireless efforts to make sure that the team has a great field to represent ORHS on are very much appreciated by the ORHS baseball insiders and it is high time his contributions are recognized in a meaningful and permanent way.
johnhuotari says
Thank you, Rick. I think this was delayed until May because there was a baseball game the night of the City Council meeting.
Matt Bailey says
An excellent idea. No one deserves this more than Joe.
Matt Bailey says
John, did this pass? Thank you
johnhuotari says
Matt, I believe this was postponed from the Monday meeting to the May meeting because there was a baseball game on Monday at the time of the City Council meeting, and the players, coaches, parents, and fans were at the game rather than at the City Council meeting.