Families, volunteers, and local partners gathered on July 31 for San Jose American Little League’s 75th Anniversary Field Revitalization Project, celebrating 75 years of baseball, community, and memories while giving the league’s longtime home a much-needed refresh.
Volunteers from HGA’s San Jose and San Francisco offices worked alongside San Jose American Little League, Novo Construction, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Strongman Real Estate Support, Dollymoon Sign Printing, and other community partners to clean, repair, and repaint the aging field. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Councilmember Michael Mulcahy attended as special guests.
Built in the 1980s, the field had endured decades of regular use. Its bleachers were worn, its dugouts needed repainting, and several areas had begun to raise safety concerns. Preparation started before the main volunteer day with power washing and site cleaning. On July 31, crews continued with painting, repairs, and general cleanup. Financial support from participating organizations also helped provide uniforms, equipment, and other resources for the league.
For local parents and children, the work carried particular significance. The field serves as a center of community life where families spend weekends, children develop friendships, and volunteers keep traditions going from one season to the next. Players and parents expressed pride in the field and appreciation for the partners who came together to improve a space that is at the heart of the neighborhood.
HGA supported the project through Community Action, the firm’s employee-led program for service and local engagement. The program gives HGA teams the resources and flexibility to respond to needs in the communities where they live and work. Projects are shaped locally, often through relationships between employees, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and business partners.
The Little League connection was personal for several HGA employees, including Senior Technology Systems Designer Randy Duarte, who spent more than a decade involved in the program as a player and umpire. His father served as league president, maintained the fields, and umpired for more than 25 years. His mother volunteered as a scorekeeper, team parent, and snack shack supporter.
“Ultimately, it was about relationships,” Duarte said. “San Jose American Little League opened access to the full neighborhood it served. You made friends from other schools and backgrounds, all working together toward a common goal.” He credited the experience with teaching him how to win and lose with dignity, work through differences, connect with people from diverse backgrounds, and give back to his community.
The revitalization addressed immediate maintenance needs, but its impact went beyond the physical work. It helped preserve a place where San Jose families have gathered for generations and prepared it for the players and memories still to come.
HGA’s Community Action teams continue to seek opportunities to support local organizations through volunteer service, partnerships, and professional expertise. Community groups interested in collaborating on future efforts are encouraged to reach out to their local HGA office and share the needs they are working to address.
