Oakland Tech’s Field of Dreams at 45th and Telegraph in the Temescal.
There has been much written in the local press about the amazing genisis of Oakland Tech High School’s Field of Dreams. For those of you who arent familiar, you can catch up via coverage provided by the Oakland Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland Magazine, The Education Report & KTVU (Just click the links). In short though, a tremendous effort was launched by Oakland Tech parents, students/players and community members to turn Carter Middle School’s abandoned playground into a beautiful new baseball field for a Bulldog team that has never had it’s own digs. . . In just 7 months!!
For those of you who know anything about OUSD bureaucracy, this feat is nothing short of astounding. As a point of contrast, the recently redone Raimondi field in West Oakland took about 5 years to complete. Tech’s Field of Dreams campaign proved that fast and comprehensive change is possible in Oakland, but that it takes a dedicated citizenry willing to work hard and circumvent the red tape when necessary to make things happen.
The Oakland Tech parents who led the charge.
Most Oaklanders would like things to change, but too often look to larger entities to facilitate it. It is true that no one should have to bust their ass just to ensure things happen in this city, but that is often the reality. Even when we generate great ideas, the city of Oakland, Parks and Rec, the School Board, the City Counsel, or whoever else unabashedly make things difficult because that’s the nature of our slow status-quo system.
The idea to build the field was hatched by Paul Brekke-Miesner, a veteran of the school district and a current city employee, so he understood how the cards were stacked. Nonetheless he and a core group of parents went into the planning stages. They consulted with local firms, the Coliseum grounds crew and then began fundraising. They raised close to $400,000 dollars in mostly small donations from businesses, foundations and individuals; secured free supplies and recycled materials where they could; and built the field by hand with the help of Oakland Tech students and volunteers from the Coliseum grounds crew. Weekends and dusk hours were spent tearing up asphalt, leveling the field, raking gravel, laying sod, mounting fencing, painting bleachers, etc. This sweat equity may not have been glamorous, but it was an amazing example of what a little money, maneuvering and moxie can get you in the Wild West.
One important lesson I’ve learned through my years attending Oakland Public Schools, is that organized parents are often the only group able to crack the district’s inaction. Whether it’s the fear of not being reelected, or the frustration of community members holding them accountable, the district will often concede when pressed by mobilized parent’s. But this is only when parent’s organize and make it known that they will make the desired change happen one way or the other. It is unforunate that we have to do the district’s job at times, but it’s good to know that if we raise enough hell that they will usually cave. It should also serve as a call to Oakland parents who have ideas of their own. Organize, strategize and make it happen!
This Tech group was organized, but they didn’t initially realize how complicated putting together a ball field was. But drawing upon various resources and sacrificing time and energy, they ensured that the new field would be ready for the Bulldog’s first home game, a victory over league rival Skyline.
There are memories attached to Tech’s old stomping grounds at Bushrod Park. Rickey Henderson, Curt Flood, Frank Robinson and Vada Pinson were among the Oakland greats to play there over the years, but the new field in the Temescal at 45th and Telegraph has been a long time coming. Too often, Oakland kids travel out to the Bay Area’s suburbs for games and tournaments and see state of the art facilities. Then they come back to Oakland to the run down grounds we provide them with each year. That is unfair to our kids and undeserved given Oakland’s rich local sporting history.
Bushrod Park. Home of Tech Baseball for decades.
It is our responsibility to offer our children the best. It may be a tad inconvenient that Oaklanders have to donate their time and energy to hustle up what other city’s readily provide, but that’s the Oakland way. In fact, I would argue that we are fortunate to get to have such a hand in our city’s transformation, all while we teach our youth and communities about the value of hard work. The Oakland parents, coaches, players and community members that stepped forward proved that Oaklanders do care about their city and are willing to build something larger than themselves.
This notion is cemented by the field’s purpose. Yes it is Oakland Tech’s home field, but it also hosts little league games and other community events. The goal was to do something unprecedented in Oakland for our kids, and that has happened. They still need money and material to complete Phase II of the project however, which will build a softball field on the grounds as well. And of course the district is not forking over any money for field maintenance, so that money will have to be fundraised too. If you’d like to donate money or services, please leave me a comment.
Also, if you haven’t taken the opportunity to check out any Oakland Athletic League games in any sport, please do so. Some of the world’s greatest athletes have come out of Oakland and we get the privilege of watching the next generation play for free. Growing up playing and attending games in the OAL, it is quite frequent that games are sparsely attended. If most other parts of the country had the opportunity to see the caliber of prep play we take for granted, the gyms and fields would be packed.
Come out to Tech’s Field of Dreams for their Spring Break tournament at the beginning of April, to see some good baseball and support community development. Also, please come to any OAL gym in the coming weeks, as it is the OAL’s basketball regular season. Support our youth and support Oakland!
Click this link for OAL schedules by sport.
