The Tujunga Little League is set to celebrate the grand re-opening of its baseball field on December 10th at 3:00 p.m., marking a joyful return for young players who have been sidelined since the theft of their artificial turf in November. Located at 11950 Big Tujunga Canyon Road, San Fernando, CA, the event will feature special guest Dee Gordon, the Los Angeles Dodgers' talented second baseman, who will throw out the first pitch to kick off the festivities.
This much-anticipated occasion comes after a challenging time for the league's youngest athletes, aged four to six, who were forced to practice on gravel—an unsafe and unsuitable alternative to grass. The replacement turf installation, scheduled for December 2nd and 3rd, promises to restore the field to a safe and playable condition just in time for the re-opening.
The unfortunate theft of the original artificial turf, which occurred overnight on November 8th, left the field stripped of its surface and left the community in shock. With no surveillance footage and little hope of recovering the stolen material, the league faced a daunting challenge, as the cost of replacing the turf equated to the revenue generated from player registrations for an entire year.
In a heartwarming response to the crisis, AGS, a California-based artificial turf company, stepped forward to offer their assistance. They are donating over 4,000 square feet of artificial turf, alongside the installation and one year of maintenance and disinfecting services. “This is such a sad story. We felt compelled to help these kids,” said Dillon Georgian, co-owner of AGS. “My team and I are excited to provide them with a new, safe playing surface.”
A press release announced the significant donation, emphasizing the community’s need for a safe environment where young players can pursue their athletic dreams. Chantel Gray, Treasurer of Tujunga Little League, expressed the emotional impact of the theft on the children, noting, “It’s devastating. The kids look forward to this and it’s sad that it was taken from them.”
As the new artificial turf is installed and the community prepares for the grand re-opening, excitement is palpable. The event will not only mark a return to play for the young athletes but also signify the resilience and support of the Tujunga community.