A much-needed facelift is coming to venerable Pierini Park, Dos Palos’ youth baseball facility.
The city of Dos Palos has received a grant totaling $178,000 to refurbish the park. According to new Dos Palos city manager Dewayne Jones, the funding is coming from the State of California Park Bond Act.
Built in 1958, the ball diamond features well-manicured grass, dugouts, a good scoreboard, and nice bleachers. But the snack bar and restrooms have become quite antiquated and have needed to be upgraded for years.
Jones said that the city will soon demolish all of the existing buildings to make way for new construction.
That construction will include a new concession stand, restroom facilities, and storage building for equipment and other items.
“We will also upgrade the plumbing and electrical systems,” said Jones.
The project will begin once the summer baseball season ends.
“Our hope is to have the project completed before the start of next season,” Jones added.
The baseball diamond was originally named Geno Pierini Park, a member of a well-known Dos Palos family. The original cost of the facility was $5,000, which was raised through donations and skilled labor from local organizations like the American Legion, the Lions Club, the Young Men’s Institute, and the Oddfellows.
The first game took place in June of 1958 when the Dos Palos All Stars defeated the Los Banos All Stars 6-4
In 1991, the ball diamond was renamed Pierini Park to acknowledge Cesare Pierini, a city councilman, and Rick Pierini, a Dos Palos Bronco pitcher who played minor league baseball in the Houston organization and also served as the mayor of Dos Palos following his baseball career.
