Contact: Latoya Foster  (EOM) (202) 727-5011; [email protected]
John Stokes  (DPR) (202)-288-7275; [email protected]
 
Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser was joined by Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and representatives from Under Armour at a ribbon-cutting ceremony dedicating the brand new Ryan Zimmerman Field at Randall Recreation Center in Southwest DC. Hundreds of local Little Leaguers also participated in the ceremony.

“Sports are part of the fabric of our city,” said Mayor Bowser. “Youth sports and athletic programs provide our young people with a healthy and productive way to stay active outside of the classroom. Our city is grateful to Ryan Zimmerman and Under Armour for their generosity and support for this beautiful field.”

The 71,600 square foot field includes areas for regulation baseball, soccer and softball. The project also includes new dugouts, new backstop, fencing, and scoreboard, among other amenities.

“Under Armour believes that sports and recreation serve to create stronger, healthier, and more connected communities,” said Stacey Ullrich, Sr. Director of Global Philanthropy at Under Armour. “It is our goal to provide all youth the opportunity to play sports in a fun, safe and inspiring place.”

The multipurpose synthetic turf field was made possible through contributions from Under Armour, the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman. The field will serve the surrounding community by hosting Capitol Hill Little League games and other District of Columbia youth sports leagues throughout the year.

The District also invested more than $250,000 to renovate the historic Randall Recreation Center.
“Youth baseball leaders have told us that providing top quality fields plays a vital role in retaining and recruiting kids to play baseball and softball,” said Marla Lerner Tanenbaum, Washington Nationals Principal Owner. “It’s also a way of saying to these kids, ‘you matter.’  Ryan Zimmerman Field says that loudly. In the years ahead the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation will be focusing on other field renovations throughout Metropolitan Washington.”

Ryan Zimmerman Field is a joint effort to refurbish youth baseball fields in the Washington metropolitan region and promote baseball throughout the city.