Ballers to Play Inaugural Season at Raimondi Park
The Oakland Ballers proudly announce their plans to activate a historic Oakland ballpark for their inaugural Spring 2024 season.
The Oakland Ballers proudly announce their plans to activate a historic Oakland ballpark for their inaugural Spring 2024 season. Raimondi Park in West Oakland has been chosen as the home field, a park renowned for nurturing baseball talent and hailed for producing "more baseball stars than any park in the country."
Raimondi Park holds a special place in Oakland's baseball history, serving as the training ground for legends such as Frank Robinson and Curt Flood. It was always the first choice for the Oakland Ballers, given its storied legacy.
Following formal approval from Oakland's Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) on January 10, 2024, the Oakland Ballers secured permission to host their 48 home games at Raimondi Park, commencing with the inaugural home game on June 4, 2024. A Field Rental Agreement has been established with the City of Oakland to facilitate this partnership. In step with these developments, Oakland Ballers tickets are now available at oaklandballers.com.
"As the Oakland Ballers, our mission has always been to revitalize Oakland's ballparks," stated Bryan Carmel co-founder of the Oakland Ballers. "We are honored to be part of the next chapter of baseball at Raimondi Park and eagerly anticipate collaborating with the City and local residents to showcase the potential of our city."
In an effort to enhance the play space at Raimondi Park, the Oakland Ballers have also unveiled a $1.6 million plan funded through private investments. These upgrades will not only accommodate professional-level baseball games but also transform the area into a premier venue for Oakland youth baseball and softball. The $1.6 million dollar revitalization plan will be presented as a Gift-In-Place for Oakland City Council to vote on at an upcoming meeting.
With these enhancements, the Oakland Ballers will enjoy top-tier facilities for 48 nights annually, while the Raimondi Park community will have access to the field for the remaining 317 nights. The new amenities, including a video scoreboard, are envisioned to serve various community events, including movie nights and more.
"I am a lifelong resident of Oakland and daughter of the esteemed ballplayer Ernie Raimondi, whose memory graces Raimondi Park. The park was renovated and rededicated in 2008, but now the opportunity has come along to further revitalize it for the neighborhood and for the entire city. On behalf of the Raimondi family, I would like to extend my support for the Oakland Ballers efforts to activate Raimondi Park as a site for their team, soon to be 'our team'. Let's unite to ensure Oakland thrives as the baseball town it has always been," said Penny Raimondi Isola, daughter of Ernie Raimondi, namesake of Raimondi Park.
"My father, Curt Flood is one of Oakland's most renowned Major League Baseball players and he got his start playing at Raimondi Park. As a true Oaklander, he sought to fight injustice everywhere and argued in front of the US Supreme Court that MLB players should be free agents and able to leave expired contracts and teams on their own terms. He changed labor conditions for players for generations to come. My dad's heart and soul was always with the community of Oakland and that's why I'm excited to support the Oakland Baller's efforts. Reviving Raimondi Park isn't just about baseball; it's preserving Oakland's rich sports history. Let's honor my father's legacy and enhance our city's heritage together," said Curt Flood Jr, son of Curt Flood.
The Oakland Ballers invite the community to join them in celebrating this exciting endeavor as they embark on a journey to rejuvenate Raimondi Park and enrich Oakland's baseball legacy.
