LIFTING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE GIFT OF LIGHTS
The Larry H . & Gail Miller Family Foundation partnered with Salt Lake City to fund and install lights on two baseball fields at Riverside Park on the westside of Salt Lake City to improve safety and extend playing hours for the youth baseball teams . The project commenced in Fall 2023 , and this spring is the first opportunity for teams to play under the new lights . The original baseball fields at Riverside Park were built between 1956-1958 .
“ Thanks to this donation from the Miller Family Foundation , communities will be able to safely play softball , baseball , and enjoy other park activities longer into the evening because of the additional lighting and renovations ,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall .
The Miller family and Miller Family Foundation have a deep history with softball and baseball . Larry H . Miller , company co-founder , began playing softball as a child and played competitively well into his adult life .
“ Larry and I raised our family at the ballpark ,” said Gail Miller , chair of the Larry H . & Gail Miller Family Foundation . “ Our family loves baseball and softball , but most importantly , we love how sports can unify communities and enhance our quality of life . We are pleased to see this area infused with light to increase safety and allow players of all ages more chances at bat well into the evening .”
Rose Park Baseball kicked off its season with a pancake breakfast and community celebration at Riverside Park . Members of the Big League Utah coalition , including former MLB players Dale Murphy and Jared Fernandez , served as base coaches , and the Salt Lake Bees and Bumble provided on-field entertainment .
Big League Utah Marks One-Year Anniversary
Since its inception in April 2023 , Big League Utah has made pivotal advancements aiding the effort to attract an MLB franchise to the state .
The coalition created honorary and community advisory boards to help advance the multi-faceted campaign and focused efforts , and the Utah State Legislature officially passed a concurrent resolution supporting MLB in the Beehive State .
Shortly after , the Larry H . Miller Company announced the transformational private investment in the Power District on Salt Lake City ’ s west side . State legislators have passed a bill authorizing the State of Utah to fund up to one half of the construction cost for a potential MLB ballpark to anchor the site .
Salt Lake City is currently viewed as a leading candidate to land a potential MLB expansion franchise . The city has received praise for its well-funded and civically connected pitch to build a ballpark , reimagine a district and bring a Major League team to Utah . Learn more at bigleagueutah . com .
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