Future Valley Field museum receives sponsor

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Fans of a historic ballfield in Grand Rapids have a new partner to help preserve the stories of the players who made their mark there.

Meijer is the latest addition to the roster of sponsors and partners led by Fans of Valley Field, the grassroots effort to restore and revitalize the field.

Six months after breaking ground on a restoration project for the ballpark, FOVF announced Meijer will be the sponsor of the on-site museum to help tell its rich history.

Former Tigers pitcher pitches in to help Sullivan Field

Since its opening in 1937, Valley Field, now Sullivan Field, was the home to many local baseball teams – including the Grand Rapids Black Sox of the Negro and minor leagues, and Grand Rapids Sullivans amateur national championship teams. Many Major League Baseball players graced the field as well, like Al Kaline, Willie Horton, Kirk Gibson, Satchel Paige and Burleigh Grimes – the last pitcher officially permitted to throw the spitball.

With the Meijer sponsorship, FOVF had raised $4.25 million as of April 16 – $500,000 shy of its total goal.

$4.2 million project to restore Valley Field kicks off

“We are proud to support Fans of Valley Field and the work they do in creating a joyful and safe space for our communities and look forward to celebrating together when the new museum is unveiled,” said Meijer spokesperson Melissa Conway.

Phase one of the construction, which focuses on restoring the original grandstands, is already underway. Details on the next phases, including the construction timeline for that museum, have yet to be announced.

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