Baseball and softball fields in Crocker Amazon Playground may be renamed the Willie Mays Fields of Champions if a proposed renovation goes ahead.
The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission approved naming the ballparks for the legendary San Francisco Giants centerfielder on Thursday.
The city is proposing a state-of-the-art recreation hub for the park, on the southern edge of San Francisco.
The Giants organization is offering about $28 million in cash and in-kind support to the $50 million project. Improvements would address longstanding field closures due to weather and maintenance, according to the commission.
The Rec and Park panel recommended that the Board of Supervisors accept the grant from the Giants. Mays’ Say Hey Foundation donated $5 million to help make the project possible.
“With the partnership of the San Francisco Giants and the Say Hey Foundation, our plan is to expand access to high-quality fields so more kids across San Francisco have that same opportunity to play, grow, and dream big,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park Interim General Manager Sarah Madland.
The Willie Mays Fields of Champions would provide year-round play and support free youth programs like Junior Giants.
The park, which includes a skate park, lighted soccer fields, children’s play areas and sport courts in its eastern half, would retain the name Crocker Amazon Playground.