Melbourne Metropolis Council Approves Renaming Crane Subject Park in Honor of Tim Wakefield

Tim Wakefield Sports activities Complicated

SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Legendary knuckleballer Tim Wakefield stood earlier than a sold-out crowd of associates, followers and admirers throughout the inaugural Area Coast Sports activities Corridor of Fame induction in 2012 and looked for phrases to explain his emotions for the time being.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Throughout final night time’s assembly, the Melbourne Metropolis Council accepted a decision to vary the title of Crane Subject Park to Tim Wakefield Sports activities Complicated to honor Tim Wakefield and to supply a long-lasting and everlasting testomony to his dedication to the Metropolis of Melbourne.

Tim Wakefield handed away on October 1, 2023. He was born in Melbourne in 1966 and attended Eau Gallie Excessive Faculty and Florida Institute of Know-how till drafted by Main League Baseball.

He was a gifted athlete and held worldwide fame, but he remained devoted to our group. He served on the Florida Tech Board of Trustees, and he acquired an honorary diploma and plenty of awards from Florida Tech for his humanitarian initiatives.

Throughout final night time’s assembly, the Melbourne Metropolis Council accepted a decision to vary the title of Crane Subject Park to Tim Wakefield Sports activities Complicated to honor Tim Wakefield and to supply a long-lasting and everlasting testomony to his dedication to the Metropolis of Melbourne.

He hosted an annual celeb golf match to boost cash for Melbourne’s Area Coast Discovery (previously Area Coast Early Intervention Middle).

He was additionally devoted to serving kids within the Boston group via packages comparable to New England’s Pitching in for Youngsters, Contact ‘Em All, and Wakefield Warriors Program, to call just a few.

The Tim Wakefield Sports activities Complicated is positioned at 1550 Mosswood Drive. It consists of two baseball fields, a softball discipline, a basketball court docket, and a multi-purpose discipline. Crane Group Middle and the Pieloch Canine Park of Eau Gallie names will stay unchanged.

Crane Subject Park was initially named in 1956 for the late Cecil Crane who was elected to Metropolis Council in 1951 and was instrumental in bringing athletic occasions to Eau Gallie.

To proceed to honor and acknowledge Mr. Crane’s legacy, Subject #3 has been renamed Cecil Crane Subject.

Wakefield performed prep baseball at Eau Gallie Excessive Faculty and school ball at Florida Tech earlier than rising to the large leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Purple Sox.

WAKEFIELD-350-1 — Tim Wakefield handed away on October 1, 2023. He was born in Melbourne in 1966 and attended Eau Gallie Excessive Faculty and Florida Institute of Know-how till drafted by Main League Baseball.

The Area Coast Sports activities Corridor of Famer Tim Wakefield, 57, died from mind most cancers.

Tim Wakefield handed away on October 1, 2023. He was born in Melbourne in 1966 and attended Eau Gallie Excessive Faculty and Florida Institute of Know-how till drafted by Main League Baseball.

In 19 Main League seasons, Wakefield had a 4.41 ERA with a 200-180 file and a pair of,156 strikeouts. He was finest recognized for his knuckleball.

In 2012, the legendary knuckleballer stood earlier than a sold-out crowd of associates, followers and admirers on the inaugural Area Coast Sports activities Corridor of Fame induction and looked for phrases to explain his emotions for the time being.

Wakefield, often a cool buyer on and off the enjoying discipline, fought again tears welling up in his eyes whereas thanking the coaches he performed for alongside the best way in his lengthy baseball profession and for the unwavering assist of his household.

“I wouldn’t be right here immediately if not for my highschool coach, Ken Campbell, or my school coach Les Corridor,” Wakefield mentioned.

“I additionally want to thank my spouse, Stacy, for permitting me to pursue my dream.”

Inducted within the skilled athlete class, Wakefield performed prep baseball at Eau Gallie Excessive Faculty and his school ball at Florida Tech earlier than rising to the large leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Purple Sox.

WAKEFIELD-350-2 — Area Coast Sports activities Corridor of Fame Inductee Tim Wakefield mentioned, “There’s one thing particular about being acknowledged by these in your hometown.”

He received 200 video games within the main leagues and regardless of enjoying in key playoff matchups, the All-Star Recreation and within the World Collection earlier than thousands and thousands of followers, he mentioned being inducted into the Area Coast Sports activities Corridor of Fame is the highest honor he’s ever been given.

“There’s one thing particular about being acknowledged by these in your hometown,” Wakefield mentioned.

“Melbourne is my house and at all times shall be and that is one thing I’ll bear in mind without end. Of all the awards I’ve been given, this one means essentially the most to me.”

FOR INFORMATION in regards to the Area Coast Sports activities Corridor of Fame, or to make a nomination, e-mail [email protected] or name 321-615-8111.

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