(Photo by Edward Lea)
Atlantic City celebrated its past and future in baseball Tuesday as the ribbon was cut on the renovated Pop Lloyd Stadium.
The field long has stood in honor of Negro League shortstop John Henry "Pop" Lloyd, who lived and worked in Atlantic City.
But Mayor Marty Small said he had a vision of turning the iconic stadium into a multisport complex, and called the reopening "another promise made, another promise kept" for his administration.
The ribbon is officially cut at the renovated Pop Lloyd Stadium. (Photo by Edward Lea)“I had a vision for a very long time to turn this baseball field into a multisport stadium, and I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish. This field looks better than it ever has, the residents of Atlantic City deserve that, and we are looking forward to creating memories for our community on this new field that will last a lifetime.”
The $5.6 million in renovations began last June, adding new dugouts, locker rooms, bleachers, restrooms, lighting, fencing, scoreboard and a state-of-the-art sound system.
The inaugural game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, when Atlantic City High School will host Oakcrest.
But many took Tuesday to honor the stadium's past and the man whose name it continues to honor.
Ron Jordan talks about meeting "Pop" Lloyd as a kid. (Photo by Edward Lea)Ron Jordan, 90, remembered the first person he met when he attended Indiana Avenue School in the 1940s was the janitor named Pop Lloyd.
It would take a bit for him to realize the contributions the older man he met made to the game of baseball. He would get to hear the stories and even ended up visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., where he got to see Lloyd's plaque.
"I’m very thankful for all the guys that came before me and opened the door," said Pedro Sierra, 86.
The pitcher from Cuba played on the Negro Leagues' Detroit Stars and later had a minor league career the Minnesota Twins’ and Washington Senators’ affiliates.
(Photo by Edward Lea)Councilman Aaron "Sporty" Randolph said he regularly came to the field as a kid, and remembers meeting Lloyd at New Jersey Avenue School.
Planned event at the stadium include the Benfica Soccer Camp, Atlantic City’s Adult Softball League and a baseball clinic for Atlantic City youth.
To schedule an event, contact Atlantic City Recreation at 609-347-5643.
The mayor throws out a pitch at the renovated stadium. (Photo by Edward Lea)
