On April 24, Major League Baseball and the Texas Rangers revealed the beneficiaries of its 2024 All-Star Legacy initiative that will see nearly $7 million distributed to four organizations in Arlington, Dallas and Fort Worth.

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota, was announced as a recipient, and more specifically, its south side baseball field will be drastically upgraded to better meet the Academy¡¯s needs.

¡°I know a lot of times for a field project it¡¯s an investment in a field¡ª this is not that. This is an investment in young people, and the number of lives that are going to be impacted by the project taking place here to my right is countless,¡± said Juan Leonel G¨¢rciga, senior director of the Youth Academy and baseball development, during Wednesday¡¯s press conference.

In partnership with Mercy Street, the Dallas Housing Authority, Paragon Sports Contractors and Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom and his wife, Stacey, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation began construction on the new All-Star Legacy Field in February.

The project began with the removal of the existing grass and infield clay to prepare the surface for the installation of turf repurposed from Globe Life Field¡ª the same turf used during the 2023 World Series. The turf is being stripped and specially designed to accommodate three 12U fields, allowing for simultaneous games and expanded programming.

In its previous condition, the All-Star Legacy Field was regularly deemed unplayable due to poor drainage after heavy rain, leaving both the Rangers Youth Academy and Mercy Street to reschedule, cancel and reconfigure programming, preventing regular operation.

Along with the improvements to the playing surface, existing dugouts will be updated, and additional dugouts will be constructed in the outfield corners for the secondary and tertiary fields. Also set to be installed is a new scoreboard, fencing, netting and shade structures over the existing bleachers, creating a brand-new environment for players and spectators alike.

¡°It¡¯s a very cool opportunity to be able to give back to the community, to help change the lives of young kids and give them an opportunity to play the game that we love,¡± deGrom said. ¡°We're fortunate enough to be able to play at the highest level and enjoy the best fields, so being a part of this to help renovate this field¡ª and the part that's really cool is the World Series turf is going to be out on this field¡ª it's just a way of giving back. The Rangers have been great to me, the Rangers Foundation [has been great], and this is just a small thing we can do to help out.¡±

Construction will continue to progress until completion in July, when the Texas Rangers Youth Academy¡¯s All-Star baseball squad takes the field for the opening game of the Commissioner¡¯s Cup to kick off Major League Baseball¡¯s All-Star Week.