Million Dollar Arm Producer Mark Ciardi Catches First Pitch at New YMCA's "Kenny Lee Romine Field"

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. - Sept. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- Anne Romine, mother of Kenny Lee Romine, threw the first pitch in honor of her son’s love for baseball at the soon-to-be-opened “Kenny Lee Romine Field of the Dreamer” baseball field at the new Westlake Village Community Park and Triunfo YMCA. Million Dollar Arm producer, former major league pitcher and Westlake Village resident Mark Ciardi acted as catcher. The symbolic pitch was part of a “hardhat” tour hosted by the City of Westlake Village and the Triunfo YMCA.

         Anne Romine was wearing her son’s Westlake High School baseball jersey and cap. "This is my dream,” says Romine, whose son died in an auto accident last year. An oak tree at the park is also named in Kenny’s honor and to increase organ donor awareness, as well as a park bench for those needing solace and reflection.

         “It’s clear this area can use more field space and Anne’s gift in memory of her son is extraordinary for our future youth development and for competition,” says Ciardi.

         The city fields are scheduled to open in spring 2015 followed by the opening of the Y in fall. “The Y and community park are for everyone, “ says Ronnie Stone, executive director of the Triunfo YMCA. "Youth development, healthy living and social responsibility are the focus areas and core values we bring to this amazing intergenerational project. We are deeply grateful to David Murdock, Dole Foods, Anne Romine, Doug and Penny Yarrow and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for their major contributions to the project. Doug and Penny Yarrow’s $1 million gift will enable the YMCA to provide a state-of–the-art fitness center with adjoining child watch center. Dougand Penny have pioneered this vision for several years.” During the hardhat tour, the Yarrows added their signatures to a beam of steel needed to complete the framing of Y’s 58,000 sq. ft. building.

         Doug Yarrow, a former Westlake Village major and current Mayor Mark Rutherford took guests on the Westlake Village trolley for a preview of the new community park and YMCA project.

         Also in the works is a dedicated area in the park to honor local veterans. Lisa and Bill Hopkins donated $100,000 to the veterans memorial’s construction. Delesprie, a renowned bronze sculpture artist who designed sculptures for the The Lakes, The Commons at Calabasas and the Promenade at Westlake, is creating the memorial sculptures.

         The first phase of the community park will include two lighted baseball/softball fields with an overlay soccer field, children’s play area, restroom/concession building, picnic facilities, skate park, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts and a walking/jogging trail. Future park amenities include an additional baseball/softball field, three soccer fields, large children’s play area, fitness stations, completion of the walking/jogging trail and an additional restroom/concession facility.

         A "naming opportunity" campaign is in high gear to name many areas of the community park and YMCA. Recently, naming pledges have been received from Jerry (Triunfo Y board member) and Lela Adams and Coldwell Banker estate director Rosemary Allison.

         For a private tour of the Westlake Village Community Park and Triunfo YMCA project, contact Ronnie Stone at 818-707-9622, rstone@triunfoymca.org.