Giants' Randy Johnson dedicates baseball field in hometown

From the Pleasanton Weekly. http://www.pleasantonweekly.com/news/show_story.php?id=2396

Giants’ Randy Johnson dedicates baseball field in Livermore: Renovation work at May Nissen Park joins in establishment of new Livermore Junior Giants league

August 12, 2009, by Janet Pelletier

Randy Johnson

San Francisco Giants pitcher and Cy Young winner Randy Johnson helped dedicate a newly renovated baseball field in Livermore’s May Nissen Park Tuesday.

Johnson, who grew up in Livermore, also celebrated the establishment of the Livermore Junior Giants league. The project was completed in partnership with Chevron and the Good Tidings Foundation, part of the Peter A. Magowan Fields for Kids Program.

Through the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District and City of Livermore, the field that will soon be known as Randy Johnson Junior Giants Field was fully revamped with the help of major donors such as Robert A. Bothman, Inc., West Coast Turf, Calco Fence, Hunter Industries and Central Concrete. The site features new dugouts, fencing, a new infield irrigation system, fresh sod, infield cinder, concrete work behind the dugouts and backstop and a seat wall for viewing.

The flagship program of the Giants Community Fund, Junior Giants uses baseball as a forum to teach life skills to youth throughout northern and central California, Nevada, and Oregon. Projects such as field renovations, coaches clinics and glove drives contribute to a sense of ownership and pride throughout leagues in over 155 communities.

Other dedications through the community fund have included the Willie Mays Boys and Girls Club at Hunters Point in San Francisco, Aaron Rowand Junior Giants Field in Daly City, Barry Zito Junior Giants Fields in Stockton and the Excelsior Playground Field in San Francisco.