truebluefan

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have selected the West Tampa Little League Fields as its next site for the team's field renovation program dedicated to re-building youth fields throughout the Tampa Bay region.

The Rays Baseball Foundation will team up with Rays outfielder Carl Crawford, the City of Tampa, J.O. DeLotto and Sons, Metro PCS and Bryant Heating and Cooling on the project.

West Tampa Little League is the second field to be refurbished under the Rays Field Renovation Program. In 2006, historic Oliver Field at Campbell Park in St. Petersburg underwent a major overhaul. The West Tampa Little League has been home to many major league players in the past including Fred McGriff, Tino Martinez, Lou Piniella, Tony LaRussa, Dave Magadan, Luis Gonzales, Ken Suarez and Nardi Contreras.

"West Tampa Little League's fields hold great historical significance to the surrounding community, making them an ideal choice for our program," said Rays Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. "Many of Tampa's great amateur and professional baseball stars grew up playing here. As this community's Major League Baseball team, we are mindful of our duty to help preserve their legacy for future generations. We look forward to the completion of this project, and to many others that will help revitalize our communities' assets and grow the great game of baseball."

"We are pleased to be partnering with the Rays on this project" said Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio. "The Rays have been such active community partners and this initiative ensures West Tampa Little League, a place where many dreams have been realized, will continue to benefit our local children for years to come."

"MetroPCS remains committed to giving back to the communities that support us, and we are thrilled that we've been given the opportunity to partner with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on this Field Renovation Program," said Audra Wolf, Manager of Advertising and P.R. for MetroPCS' Central Florida region. "We want to ensure that the Tampa Bay community's youth and families have a safe place to play and enjoy time together, and this project is just one way of us doing so."

"Teamwork has been an important part of our company's success over the past 60 years," said Lyle C. Blanden, CEO and Chairman, J.O. DeLotto and Sons, Inc. "We are pleased to be a part of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays team and this important opportunity to sustain the rich history of the West Tampa community."

The renovation work includes a total makeover of the three fields in the West Tampa Little League complex by the Rays grounds crew including new bases, pitching mounds and pitching rubbers, and the installation of a new bleacher roof on one set of bleachers and a new concession stand. Upon completion of the project, the Rays will sponsor a baseball clinic for the West Tampa Little League hosted by Rays players including Crawford.