Home runs and honors: Field of Dreams caps off memorable summer

Pictured (l to r) are Calvin Knight, Danny Barber, De’Marcus McKinley (keynote speaker), Deon Morris and Roy Gordon.

As the summer begins to come to a close and students get prepared to go back to school, the Leland Park and Recreation’s “Field of Dreams” held its annual trophy ceremony for 2026. Throughout the summer, kids of different ages enjoyed one of America’s most favorite sports, baseball.

With the help of many volunteers and other employees at the Parks and Recreation Department for Leland, they made sure that this year’s summer league was a blast.

At the ceremony, they enjoyed warm remarks by guest speakers, received trophies for their outstanding achievements, and shared a meal.

Lelanders agree that it is a blessing that the city of Leland gets to enjoy a summer league. It gets kids out of the house and allows them to have fun with friends that they normally would see only during school. Many people remember playing summer league and enjoying the warm Leland air under the evening lights of a ball field; most of those things live on in memories. Those involved say that the talent that the children showed during this year’s competitive games not only show proof of hard work from the coaches, but outstanding talents of those willing and excited to learn.