Historic Hamtramck Stadium gets its first corporate sponsor

Former Negro Leaguer Ron Teasley, Joyce Stearnes Thompson (daughter of Hall of Famer Turkey Stearnes),
Gary Gillette, and Mike Wilson represent the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium at the Detroit Tigers'
2018 Negro Leagues Legacy Luncheon June 8 at Comerica Park.

Comerica Bank donates $20,000 toward restoration of historic Negro League ballpark 

DETROIT — The Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium are pleased to announce Comerica Bank as the first corporate sponsor of the stadium’s renovation project. The announcement was made recently during the Negro Leagues Legacy Luncheon at Comerica Park.

Comerica Bank presented a $20,000 check to FHHS during an on-field ceremony before the Detroit Tigers-Cleveland Indians Negro Leagues Tribute game.

“Hamtramck Stadium has played a significant role in the history of the region,” says Comerica president Michael T. Ritchie. “As one of only a handful of remaining Negro League ballparks, the site is an important reminder of African-American history here in metropolitan Detroit and across the country.

“We’re honored to support this project, and we hope our commitment inspires other organizations to help preserve this historic stadium and for the community to enjoy and remember the contributions of great Negro League players like Norman 'Turkey' Stearnes, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige for generations to come.”

“The stadium represents one of five remaining locations where major Negro League teams once played home games and represents a historic period in the Detroit community,” says Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium president Gary Gillette.

“As a field that’s welcomed at least 18 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Hamtramck Stadium deserves the preservation efforts and attention it’s beginning to receive. We look forward to completing this project for both the Hamtramck and Detroit communities.”

The Hamtramck Stadium field is currently being used for cricket, soccer, yoga and other recreational activities, but the condition of the diamond itself isn’t yet suitable for baseball. 

The grandstand, which hasn't been used since the 1990s, is currently closed to the public, but the City of Hamtramck has a new plan for redevelopment.

Hamtramck Stadium was built in 1930. The stadium was home to the Negro National League Detroit Stars in 1930-1931 and again in 1933. The field was also home to the Detroit Wolves of the Negro East-West League in 1932, and to the Negro American League Detroit Stars in 1937. The stadium was acquired by the City of Hamtramck in 1940 and renovated in 1941 by the Wayne County Road Commission. 

It was also the home field for Hamtramck’s 1959 Little League World Series champions.

Comerica Bank previously supported FHHS in securing and installing a Michigan Historic Marker in Hamtramck at Veterans Park in 2014.

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About FHHS

Founded in 2012, the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium is a Michigan nonprofit organization. FHHS is devoted to restoring and preserving historic Hamtramck Stadium and ensuring its future through educational, cultural, and recreational programming honoring the history of Negro League Baseball and amateur sports in Hamtramck and Detroit.

In addition to getting Hamtramck Stadium listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Friends installed a State of Michigan Historic Marker for the Stadium in Hamtramck’s Veterans Park in 2014. In 2017, the Friends provided the historical research used by the City of Hamtramck to obtain an African American Civil Rights Grant from the National Park Service.

For more information about Hamtramck Stadium, visit us on Facebook or go to www.hamtramckstadium.org.

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The Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium are proudly affiliated with the nonprofit Piast Institute, of Hamtramck, Michigan, which serves as our fiduciary. 

To make a tax-deductible donation and help support the renovation of Hamtramck Stadium, click here.