WEST RIDGE — Warren Park, a sports-centered safe haven for over 500 young baseball players living in West Ridge, is getting a $100,000 boost from the Cubs to install lights for night games at one of its diamonds.
As part of Cubs Charities Diamond Project, the Warren Park Youth Baseball League was recently awarded the grant so it could add lights to Field 3, the league said.
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The expansive park has five baseball diamonds and participation in the league is at an "all-time high," organizers said.
The more than 500 Far North Side kids who play on 50 teams have created overcrowding and timing challenges each spring and summer
By adding lights, the league has room for seven extra games per week, to host tournaments and better grow the program overall.
“This grant is a game changer for our league and for Warren Park," said Rob Miller, president of the league. "Lights will immediately increase our weekly game capacity by almost a third, allowing more neighborhood kids to play ball.”
The lights are expected to be installed before the start of the spring season.
Warren Park Youth Baseball League has helped play a crucial role in keeping kids and young teens occupied and out of potential trouble during the summer, Miller said last summer while the park hosted the 12U (Majors) Little League tournament.
In 2014, the Warren Park Warriors were honored by City Council after winning the league's state championship.
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