Through community philanthropy, with the support of local businesses, families, fans, & community advocates, the campaign committee led by the Grand Forks Area Baseball Association plans to renovate and renew the iconic Kraft Memorial Field baseball stadium.
Kraft Memorial Field
Reconstruction Campaign
Help Us Restore This Historic Field
Contact Information
GF Parks & Rec
Foundation
Email
Additional Info
Informational Brochure >
Letter of Intent >
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About the Complex
The History
Established in 1986 and named after the late UND Baseball Coach Harold “Pinky” Kraft, Kraft Memorial Field was a result of the pooled resources of the Grand Forks Park District and the University of North Dakota (UND). Before 1986, the Park District had built a small baseball field on the current site, with only portable bleachers for seating and no rest rooms or concessions, and UND had only one field on the western edge of campus that was lost to expanding classroom facilities.
Annual Visitors
* at OXFORD SPORTS COMPLEX & KRAFT MEMORIAL FIELD
GF Park District Baseball Program
- Average 600 Annual Participants
- June – July | Monday – Thursday
GF Park District Softball Program
- Average 275 Annual Participants
- June – July | Monday – Thursday
UND Softball Program
- 6 – 8 Spring Season Home Games
- 10 – 12 Fall Season Home Games
- TV Coverage by MidcoSN
- Live Streamed Online by UND
- All Spring/Fall Practices at Oxford
- 20-25 Athlete Roster
GF High School Baseball
- Home to Central & Red River JV & Varsity Baseball Teams
- Each Play 12+ Home Games/Year
- 15-20 Athletes Per Roster
UND Club Baseball
- Plays 6 – 8 Home Games in the Spring & Fall at the Complex
Babe Ruth Baseball Program
- 5 – 8 Babe Ruth League Teams Play All Games at Oxford
- Roughly 100 League Participants
- 3 Babe Ruth Traveling Teams Play 6-8 Home Games at Oxford
- 12-15 Athletes Per Travel Roster
GF Youth Express Fastpitch Softball Program
- Practices & Plays All Games at Oxford
- 200+ Annual Participants
GF High School Softball
- Home to Central & Red River JV & Varsity Baseball Teams
- Each Play 12+ Home Games Per Year
- 15-20 Athletes Per Roster
Legion Baseball
- 2 Teams Based at Kraft Field
- 10 – 12 Home Dates Per Team
- Average 100 Spectators Per Game
- Host 3 Tournaments Each Summer
Cal Ripken Baseball Program
- Play 6 – 8 Travel & League Games at Oxford
- 200 Annual Participants
Campaign Overview
The Need
Once a showpiece for baseball in Grand Forks, Kraft Memorial Field has seen the wear and tear of many years of use and needs a variety of renovations. The facility’s iconic grandstand requires general repair and upkeep, new molding, and a shaded covering to create a comfortable and safe area for spectators to enjoy games. The updating of the concession area and public restrooms will also be crucial to enhancing the fan experience and increasing traffic to theballpark.Kraft Memorial Field’s playing surface is also in need of several renovations to make it a suitable facility for all levels of play. The current infield turf has reached the end of its lifecycle and requires replacement and the outfield needs the installation of turf and a drainage system. Having a full turf playing surface with outfield drainage will increase the number of games played at Kraft Field by speeding-up field drying time, allowing the baseball season to start earlier, and preventing in-season rainouts.
The Benefit
Not only will this renovation allow the baseball season to start earlier and increase the number of games played overall, resulting in a greater financial impact in the Greater Grand Forks during tournament play, but it will also demonstrate our investment in Babe Ruth Baseball, Cal Ripken Baseball, Highschool Baseball, UND Club Teams, and American Legion Baseball as an integral part of our community and region. It is time to meet the growing demands of these sports.
The Plan
- Infield Turf Replacement & Outfield Turf Installation
- Rebuilding of the Grandstand with New Spectator Seating & Enclosure
- Updating of Concession Area & Public Restrooms
- Installation of Energy-Efficient LED Field Lights
- Repair of Outfield Fencing
- Remodeling of the Bullpens, Dugouts, & Batting Cages
- Field Turf Installation of Diamond #4 at Oxford Sports Complex
Donor Recognition
Donors of $1,000 or more will have their names displayed on a Donor Wall at Kraft Memorial Field. Friends of the sport, family members of players, local & regional business, foundations and individual donors may also be honored or memorialized with gifts to renovate this iconic youth baseball field. Special recognition will also be provided on the donor wall to individuals who name the GF Parks & Recreation Foundation in their will with a special designation to this project. Gifts to support the renovation of this ballpark may be made over a period of time. Bank reoccurring automatic withdrawals may also be set up through a checking or savings account on a monthly or annual basis.
Giving Clubs
- Hall of Fame Club $250,000 and up
- Diamond Club $100,000 – $249,999
- Grand Slam Club $50,000 – $99,999
- Home Run Club $25,000 – $49,9999
- Triple Club $10,000 – $24,9999
- Double Club $5,000 – $9,999
- Single Club $1,000 – $4,999
More Ways to Give
Recurring Gifts
Automatically and securely have gifts deducted from your bank account. You choose the amount and duration of your giving.
Matching Gifts
Easily double your gift if you or your spouse’s employer participates in a matching gift program. Contact your HR Department for information.
Stock Gifts
Donate gifts of appreciated securities and you may be eligible for a charitable income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock, while avoiding the capital gains tax.
IRA Gifts
Donors age 70 1/2 or older can transfer up to $100,000 annually from their IRA directly to the GF Parks & Recreation Foundation without subject to income taxes on distribution.
Planned Gifts
Bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, endowments and beneficiary designations of life insurance or retirement plan assets are simple yet impactful ways you can leave a legacy.