HAMTRAMCK, Mich. (WXYZ) — Detroit's own Jack White and other organizations have announced plans to begin restoration of one of the few remaining Negro Legaue ballparks in the United States.
White will work with the Piast Institute and the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium to help restore the former home of the Detroit Stars in Hamtramck. It was built in 1930 and hosted the Stars in 1930-31 and in 1933.
Hamtramck Stadium hosted many Negro League legends over the years including Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell and Detroit's own Norman "Turkey" Stearnes.
White kicked off the donations with a $10,000 donation, and the campaign will be launched through Patronicity and aims to raise $50,000 to restore the field for baseball and soccer games, before a planned restoration of the grandstand.
On top of that, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will match donations up to $50,000.
“Hamtramck Stadium is one of just five remaining locations where major Negro League teams once played their home games and represents a historic period in the Detroit community,” Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium Founder and President Gary Gillette said in a blog post.
According to the group, there have been at least 18 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown that had played on the field.
"Our hope is to preserve this very special place where my father and his teammates made history," says Rosilyn Stearnes-Brown, daughter of Hall of Fame Detroit Stars outfielderTurkey Stearnes.
