The Oakland A's, in partnership with the Good Tidings Foundation, renovated Bambino Field at the Greenman Field Baseball Complex in Oakland during the 2005 season.

The renovation began with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 17, 2005 featuring former A's manager Ken Macha, president Michael Crowley, Good Tidings founder Larry Harper, Oakland city council member Desley Brooks, Oakland Babe Ruth League vice president Chester Livingston along with members of the Babe Ruth League.

The field renovation was completed in August with the ribbon-cutting ceremony held on August 19, 2005 followed by the first Oakland Babe Ruth League game played on the new field with A's centerfielder Mark Kotsay and third base coach Ron Washington coaching the two teams. In addition, Kotsay threw out the ceremonial first pitch to a member of the Babe Ruth League.

The Oakland Babe Ruth League is the primary user of the Greenman Field Baseball Complex. There are approximately 660 youth who range in age from five to 18 years old that make up 55 teams that participate in the league. In addition to league games, the regional playoffs and World Series are held on the Bambino Field.

Oakland council member Desley Brooks, the City of Oakland Public Works Agency and the Office of Parks and Recreation worked to facilitate the renovation of the Greenman Field Baseball Complex. The project includes the renovation of the other three baseball diamonds and the creation of a community park and is scheduled to be completed in 2006.

The Good Tidings Foundation is a 501-(c)-3 children's charity that looks to equally support education, recreation, and the arts for youth from communities of need in the greater Bay Area. Good Tidings creates original projects and works in partnership with professional sports franchises, businesses and agencies throughout the Bay Area, leveraging resources in order to increase access to enriching opportunities by deserving youth. The Good Tidings Foundation received assistance from general contractor Robert A. Bothman, Inc. and sod supplier West Coast Turf in the renovation of Bambino Field.

The A's, in partnership with the Good Tidings Foundation, renovated Bambino Field at the Greenman Field Baseball Complex in Oakland this year. (Click on image for a larger view.)		The A's held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion of Bambino Field on Aug. 19.
A's center fielder Mark Kotsay threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the first Oakland Babe Ruth League game played on the newly renovated field on Aug. 19.		Kotsay coached one of the Oakland Babe Ruth League teams that played the first game on the newly renovated field on Aug. 19.
A's third base coach Ron Washington coached one of the Oakland Babe Ruth League teams that played the first game on the newly renovated field on Aug. 19.		Kotsay watches as the first Oakland Babe Ruth League game is played on the newly renovated Bambino Field on Aug. 19.
A look at Bambino Field on May 17 before the renovations began. Children who play on Bambino Field can see McAfee Coliseum in the distance and dream of playing in the big leagues with the Oakland A's.		A's president Michael Crowley speaks at the Bambino Field groundbreaking ceremony on May 17.
Crowley, Oakland Babe Ruth League vice president Chester Livingston, A's manager Ken Macha and children from the Oakland Babe Ruth League take part in the Bambino Field groundbreaking ceremony on May 17.		Members of the Oakland Babe Ruth League "break ground" on the pitching mound at Bambino Field on May 17. The Oakland Babe Ruth League is the primary user of the field with approximately 660 members and 55 teams that make up the league.
The City of Oakland's plans for the Greenman Field Project which which includes the renovation of the other three baseball diamonds and the creation of a community park and is scheduled to be completed in 2006. (Click on image for a larger view.)