Right here at Field of Dreams Park, baseball dreams come alive. For over a century baseball has provided opportunities for Latinos to chase better futures. They made opportunities for themselves. Playing the sport in local leagues brought freedom from discrimination. They experienced this discrimination off the field. They found opportunities to be recognized for talent on the field. Baseball created communities that provided support and shared language. In agriculture and industry workers used the baseball field as a space to organize for rights and justice.
During a time of segregation major league baseball’s segregation policy blocked Latinos. They couldn’t participate. Latinos developed community, semiprofessional, and professional baseball leagues of their own. Baseball often provided a social network. It was a break from discrimination in the larger world. Wherever they lived Latinas and Latinos persistently made the baseball diamond their place to play. They enjoyed their freedoms. Finding freedom on the field was more than a simple march toward acceptance.
Many Latinas and Latinos made do with what they had on hand to play the game. For some families fabricating their own equipment reflected deep appreciation for the game. It afforded them a certain kind of freedom despite meager family finances. They did not have to borrow or save money to purchase new equipment.
When racism and discrimination barred Latinas and Latinos from joining baseball leagues they created their own teams. In the early 1900s in East Harlem New York primarily Puerto Rican African American and Dominican communities responded by creating their own game: stickball. Spalding balls were sold at bodegas around East Harlem and The Bronx New York.
In Kansas City the local American Legion post barred Mexican American GIs returning from World War II from joining the veterans’ group. In response they made their own Post 213 called the Eagles Nest which included a baseball field. In 2016 seeing the beloved Eagles Nest baseball field falling into disrepair Chris González spearheaded a revitalization. It served as a testament to the Post 213’s legacy and the power of baseball in a local community. The new field regularly hosts fast-pitch softball tournaments and games. A Kansas City Royals equipment manager gave cleats to Eagles player Chris González. He wore them in every game even though they were two sizes too small.
Juan Baret a Dominican immigrant grew up playing baseball within sight of Yankee Stadium in The Bronx New York. In 2013 after a military career Baret started his own business producing custom bats. This handcrafted bat honors his military tours in Saudi Arabia Kuwait and Afghanistan.
Field of Dreams Park is more than just a park. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of those who found freedom and community on the baseball field. It is a place where dreams are made and legacies are born.