On September 5th, 2020, the Town of Tryon, the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors, and the Harry Dallara Foundation officially opened the new Harry Dallara Baseball Field. Watch the unveiling of the Harry Dallara statue and the presentation of a plaque of the Tryon All-Stars.
Grand Opening of Dallara Baseball Field
Press Release from the Tryon Daily Bulletin:
On a beautiful late summer morning in Tryon, NC the Harry Dallara Foundation held a successful and historic Grand Opening of the Harry Dallara Ball Field. A moving Invocation was given by Bruce Camber to open the proceedings. The program featured a keynote address by Bobby Richardson, the former All-Star New York Yankees second baseman, as well as special remarks by Tryon Town Mayor Alan Peoples and Chairman of the Harmon Field Board of Commissioners, Stephen Nelon. A statue of Harry Dallara, a WWII veteran who played hundreds of games on this field, along with a plaque honoring the 1949 Tryon All Stars, were both unveiled.
Gordon Hamilton, a Director of the Foundation, explained the significance of the plaque honoring the Tryon All Stars, a team of young Black athletes who had never been allowed to play at Harmon Field throughout their lifetime.
Adrian Dallara, grandson of Harry, shared his personal reflections about the harmony between honoring Harry Dallara and the Tryon All Stars on the same field. Harry Dallara grew up in the Bronx and had himself experienced ethnic discrimination. He was, therefore, unswervingly in support of equal opportunity for all.
Another highlight was Denny's corporation providing a generous contribution to the Foundation in support of the Foundation, its goal of promoting access for all youth to a wonderful new athletic facility and, in particular, of honoring the Tryon All Stars. The presentation was made by April Kelly-Drummond and was accepted by Charles Dallara and Sam Foster, special advisor to the Board and a distinguished South Carolina athlete.
The event was attended by approximately 75 guests despite the restrictions relating to the Covid pandemic. Special arrangements were made to ensure social distancing during the event. Due to Covid, many supporters of the Harry Dallara Foundation were unable to join the event in person. Two Directors of the Foundation, Bill Cummings and Peixin Dallara, read letters of congratulation from a number of distinguished global citizens and Foundation Board members.
The event displayed for all the guests the many impressive features of the renovated ball field , including outfield grass with an irrigation system and installation of infield grass (the first in Polk County); ball field fencing and bleachers; dugouts covered in shade cloth; an electronic scoreboard; and a new plaza built around the Harry Dallara statue and a special baseball insignia created at the base of the Tryon All Stars plaque.
It was an especially poignant moment when Keenysia Young, great-niece of Jimmy Young of the Tryon All Stars, threw out the first pitch, symbolizing the new page of community and equality which had been turned in the history of Tryon. Additional opening pitches were thrown by Oumar Koume, great-grandson of Harry Dallara and Charles Dallara, who was accompanied to the mound by Bobby Richardson.
It was also especially noteworthy that following the opening pitches, Joel Booker, one of Tryon's own native sons, held a clinic for 15 diverse young boys and girls from the Tryon area which was then followed by a 3-inning game. Joel is a rising star in the Chicago White Sox organization. The game ended appropriately in an 11-11 tie. Below are select photos from this special day and a video which captures the entire day.
An outstanding barbeque lunch was served courtesy of Jeff Hodges and Holden's Ranch of Spartanburg. Music was provided throughout by DJ Ryan Pflumm of Spin NC which featured baseball themes and Frank Sinatra.
