Daytona Beach, Fla. – Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach has been designated as a Commemorative Site following President Joe Biden’s signing of H.R. 8012, as announced in a White House news release.
The ‘Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Act’ officially recognizes the Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida, as a Commemorative Site and includes it in the African American Civil Rights Network, stated the release.
It was at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach where the legend broke the color barrier and played his first professional game in 1946.
In the spring training of 1946, Robinson faced rejection from several southern cities like DeLand and Sanford, preventing him from playing. The Dodgers’ General Manager, Branch Rickey, had to locate a city that would welcome Robinson for the Montreal Royals minor league team.
The bill was introduced by U.S. Congressmen Mike Waltz and Darren Soto, which President Biden thanked along with Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Raphael Warnock after signing the bill.
“Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach has been a landmark in the history of the Civil Rights movement and of Florida,” Waltz said in a release. “Jackie Robinson changed professional baseball forever when he stepped out onto the field and broke the color barrier in the sport. His courage that day not only redefined the game but also signaled a profound step forward in the fight for civil rights in America. This bill preserves and honors Jackie Robinson’s legacy, the pivotal role he played in Daytona Beach’s history, and the lasting impact he made on America as a whole.”
The bill also directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the site to evaluate its national significance and determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the site as a National Historic Landmark.
“We are extremely honored to be entrusted with further stewarding the legacy of Jackie Robinson in Daytona Beach,” said Bob Fregolle, Co-owner & Operating Partner of the Daytona Tortugas, who play their home games at the historical ballpark.“This designation is greatly appreciated by the community here and will only strengthen his legacy for generations to come.”
Earlier this year, Daytona Beach city officials put $30 million toward renovations at Jackie Robinson Ballpark to keep its history alive.
“The ballpark has been here for over 100 years and hopefully with what we’re doing now, baseball will be played here for another 100 years,” Daytona Tortugas general manager Jim Jaworski told News 6 in February.
According to the National Historic Landmarks website, there are over 2,600 NHLs in the U.S. that “represents an outstanding aspect of American history and culture.”
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