The Navin Field Grounds Crew

The Navin Field Grounds Crew is a grass-roots group of dedicated baseball fans, who have painstakingly restored and maintained the historic grounds of what was once home to the Detroit Tigers. Since 2010, this group of Tiger Stadium faithful have brought the grounds back from the dead by pulling weeds, picking up trash, and revitalizing the once dilapidated infield. Since its revival, there has been a steady trickle of people who park their cars and make their way through the gates.

 Although the land at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull is legally owned by the city of Detroit, the group has ignored any claims of ownership. Sensing the unpopular decision to tear down the historic ballpark, the city (and police) have turned a blind eye to curiosity seekers. Since its revival, it has become a popular tourist destination for baseball enthusiasts wanting to stand on the hallowed grounds where Ty Cobb, Al Kaline, and local hero Willie Horton once played the game.

The day I was there, Michael Rys, a former Detroiter who now lives in Toledo, was standing on the mound pitching to his son Nicolas, as his wife and daughter looked on.  Not to be lost on the moment was the fact that Michael's son was using a wood bat.  I'm guessing this might have something to do with his dad's passion and respect for the game of baseball. Either way, a wood bat in the hands of a young boy is a rare sight in the present day.

This scenario is played out over and over again by eager parents wanting to share faded memories of baseball with children born too late to grasp the importance of this landmark piece of property. This weekend, former Detroit Tiger John Wockenfuss made his way onto the field for a pick-up game with a group of Tiger Stadium faithful. How cool is that? A good sign for anyone hoping to keep a good thing going.

As a city, Detroit has had a weak track-record in so far as the repurposing of its derelict spaces.  Let's hope they take a cue from the Navin Field Grounds Crew, and keep the corner alive with the sweet sound of a wood bat making contact with a baseball as it makes its way towards home plate.