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• Oliver Field rededication photo gallery

Damon Hollins, Jim Oliver (a descendant of the family for which the field is named), Rays president Matt Silverman and Carl Crawford pose after Saturday's ceremonial first pitches at Oliver Field. (Skip Milos/Rays)

Historic Oliver Field at Campbell Park in St. Petersburg was rededicated on Saturday, May 20, following a seven-month refurbishing project funded by the Tampa Bay Rays and Bank of America. Oliver Field is the first field to be refurbished under the Rays Field Renovation Program.

Rays President Matt Silverman and outfielders Carl Crawford and Damon Hollins represented the Rays at the ceremony. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and Bernie Craig, President of Bank of America in Pinellas County, were also in attendance.

"We are proud of the work that went into this project and look forward to replicating it throughout the region," said Rays President Matt Silverman. "Given Oliver Field's historical significance to the area and its close proximity to Tropicana Field, it was the perfect place to begin this outreach program."

Oliver Field is the home field of the St. Petersburg Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities League (RBI), a grassroots outreach program managed by Major League Baseball designed to promote interest in baseball, increase the self-esteem of disadvantaged children and encourage kids to stay in school.

The field renovation program called for a major overhaul of Oliver Field and improvements to the facilities of the 53-year-old park, located in the shadow of Tropicana Field. The improvements included the installation of a new metal panel roof system, an 18-foot high chain link backstop, netting to protect spectators, painting, new sod installation and irrigation repairs. Additionally, the concrete wall that surrounded the field was demolished and replaced by a chain link fence.

The Rays, along with Bank of America and participating sponsor Melitta USA, funded the project. The City of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services and Campbell Park Neighborhood Association were also partners on the project.

"When the Rays asked us to be their partner in this Field Renovation Project, we saw an opportunity to impact neighborhoods at their very core, the place where so many children's lives are enriched, a place where families come together to celebrate and enjoy each other," Bernie Craig, President of Bank of America in Pinellas County. "We are proud to be a part of the celebration as the Field is re-dedicated."

"Oliver Field was the perfect choice for this new, generous community program by the Rays," said Mayor Rick Baker. "The field is located in Midtown, which is experiencing a rebirth much like this reinvigorated baseball franchise under new ownership. We look forward to the new baseball traditions that will be born at Oliver Field, as we also anticipate the Rays future prosperity in their hometown of St. Petersburg."

Sharon Robinson, daughter of Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, also attended the field rededication on to show her support on behalf of Major League baseball. Robinson is currently Major League baseball's educational programming consultant and has dedicated her life to carrying on her father's legacy of helping others.

In 1952, the City of St. Petersburg allocated $20,000 for improvements to Campbell Park for new baseball, softball and football fields. Then in 1972, the baseball field was renamed James Oliver Field in the honor of James F. Oliver, Sr. During his career, Mr. Oliver played professionally for a number of Negro League teams. He was regarded as one of the most gifted players of his time. He devoted many hours teaching children life lessons as well as the rules and skills of athletics. Some examples of his successes included his sons Jim and Nate Oliver who both played professional baseball, Ed Charles, George Smith and Fred Wright.