New Field for Redbird Rookies Program Unveiled Today at Hess Park in Decatur, Ill.
ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 25, 2017 – Today the St. Louis Cardinals, in conjunction with Cardinals Care, the Decatur Park District and Decatur Memorial Hospital, announced the dedication of Dexter Fowler Field at Hess Park in Decatur, Illinois.
Cardinals Team President Bill DeWitt III, was joined at the dedication by Cardinals Vice President of Community Relations & Executive Director of Cardinals Care, Michael Hall; Cardinals Care Director & Youth Baseball Commissioner, Keith Brooks; Decatur Park Board Commissioners Bob Brilley, II(President), Chris Harrison (Vice President), Stacey Young, Jack Kenny and Chris Riley; Decatur Park District Executive Director, Bill Clevenger; Decatur Memorial Hospital President & CEO, Tim Stone and Decatur Mayor Julie Moore. A video message from Dexter Fowler was also shown during the dedication.
The professionally designed field is the result of a six figure investment by Cardinals Care that includes a graded and irrigated playing field, two paved and covered dugouts, bleachers, fencing, and a state-of-the art solar powered scoreboard. The field will play an integral role in teaching Redbird Rookies participants the values of teamwork, integrity, self-esteem, and leadership.
Dexter Fowler Field is the 23rd field dedicated by Cardinals Care since its inception in 1997. Most recently, the Cardinals dedicated Adam Wainwright Field in August, 2016, at Bob Russell Park in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo. Earlier this season, Fowler and his wife, Aliya, supported the Cardinals charitable foundation by making a personal financial donation of $100,000 to Cardinals Care in support of the Redbird Rookies program.
This season marks the 14th year of Cardinals Care’s innovative Redbird Rookies program, a free baseball league for kids who otherwise might not have the opportunity to play. In addition to providing all the uniforms, gloves, bats, balls and other equipment needed for each team, Redbird Rookies also provides extensive off-field support in the areas of health, education, mentoring and the cultural arts for each of the nearly 4,500 kids who participate in the program each year. (#CardsCare)