Historic Little League field in Fresno getting renovated. But first, some demolition

Joshua Tehee
·1 min read

Bakman Field is generational, in that it has served generations of Little League baseball players in Fresno’s Sunnyside neighborhood since being installed 60 years ago.

And it will continue for the next generations thanks to a $1 million renovation project, officially unveiled Tuesday.

The project is a partnership with Sunnyside Lone Star Little League and the family of Richard Bakman, who donated the land for the field for $1 in 1963, includes a $200,000 grant secured from the California Department of Parks and Recreation in 2017. There will be a new snack bar, press box and playing field, and updated scoreboard and lighting, permanent restrooms and ADA accessibility.

During a news conference Tuesday, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer — once a coach at Bakman Field — drove a tractor to demolish the original field house. A new field house will be constructed on the site, thanks to a $500,000 donation from David and Leticia Campos.

The group is still seeking additional sponsorships for the project.

“This has been a goal of not only mine for the last 20 years, but the board even before us,” said Sean Sagardia, a Sunnyside Lone Star Little League.

Both Sagardia and the mayor referenced the leadership mentoring that the league provides for young players in addition the games.

“Our mission statement really here at Sunnyside Lone Star Little is this a leadership program not necessarily a baseball program,” Sagardia said. “So this shows the kids of our community that if you start something, you finish it.”

The league plans to have the project finished in time for games in the spring.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer uses an excavator to demolish the 60-year-old field house at Bakman Field in Fresno’s Sunnyside area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Sunnyside Little Leaguers hope to play on a new field with a new snack bar, press box and restroom facility when the project is completed next spring.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer uses an excavator to demolish the 60-year-old field house at Bakman Field in Fresno’s Sunnyside area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Sunnyside Little Leaguers hope to play on a new field with a new snack bar, press box and restroom facility when the project is completed next spring.
Event VIPs unveil a rendering for a new snack bar, press box and restroom facility at Bakman Field in Fresno’s Sunnyside area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
Event VIPs unveil a rendering for a new snack bar, press box and restroom facility at Bakman Field in Fresno’s Sunnyside area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer uses an excavator to demolish the 60-year-old field house at Bakman Field in Fresno’s Sunnyside area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Sunnyside Little Leaguers hope to play on a new field with a new snack bar, press box and restroom facility when the project is completed next spring.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer uses an excavator to demolish the 60-year-old field house at Bakman Field in Fresno’s Sunnyside area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Sunnyside Little Leaguers hope to play on a new field with a new snack bar, press box and restroom facility when the project is completed next spring.
Sunnyside Little Leaguers watch the activities as a rendering for a new snack bar, press box and restroom facility is unveiled at Bakman Field in Fresno’s Sunnyside area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
Sunnyside Little Leaguers watch the activities as a rendering for a new snack bar, press box and restroom facility is unveiled at Bakman Field in Fresno’s Sunnyside area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer uses an excavator to demolish the 60-year-old field house at Bakman Field in Fresno’s Sunnyside area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Sunnyside Little Leaguers hope to play on a new field with a new snack bar, press box and restroom facility when the project is completed next spring.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer uses an excavator to demolish the 60-year-old field house at Bakman Field in Fresno’s Sunnyside area on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Sunnyside Little Leaguers hope to play on a new field with a new snack bar, press box and restroom facility when the project is completed next spring.