Commerce High School Preparing to Dedicate New Baseball Field In Honor of Hometown Great Mickey Mantle

Kerry Shuck, Mickey's nephew started the ceremony by singing the National Anthem.

Brian Waybright, High School head baseball coach. He thanked everyone for their efforts in making this field become a reality.

Randall Swearingen, Mantle fan and author of www.mickey-mantle.com. He recalled moments from the Mickey Mantle Week of Dreams fantasy camp that he attended in October 1994. He also thanked the city of Commerce for remembering the Mick.

John Hall, 1951batboy for the Carthage Cubs from the KOM (Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri) League. John is also the author of several baseball books and the KOM League Remembered monthly newsletter. John read two letters from Mickey.

Joe Barker, Mickey's 1948 teammate for baseball, football and basketball. Joe recalled how great of a punter Mickey was and how he could have played pro football too.

Bobby Richardson, Yankees shortstop and teammate of Mickey. Bobby recalled Mickey as a teammate.

Merlyn Mantle, Mickey's childhood sweetheart and wife for many years. Merlyn spoke of her exciting years with Mickey.

David Mantle, one of Mickey's three surviving sons. David thanked everyone for putting together such a special event.

Rick Johnson, Booster Club President was awarded a Mickey Mantle jacket for his efforts in creating the field.

Jim Haynes, superintendent of schools, officially dedicated the field in honor of Mickey Mantle.

A painting of Mickey by artist Janet K. Edens, a graduate of the class of 1974, was then presented to the high school.

536 balloons were then released from behind the centerfield fence (one for each homerun that Mickey hit during his illustrious career).

Below are pictures from this special event. These images are just small thumbnails. You can click on any one of them and view a larger image.

	Bobby Richardson signing autographs before the ceremony.
	The seating area of the speakers and honored guests.
	Barney Barnet, Jr. showing his personal scrapbook to Commerce High School head baseball coach, Brian Waybright.
	Merlyn Mantle with security and Ivan Shouse before the ceremony.
	Rick Johnson (Booster Club President), Barbara Delise (Mickey's sister) and Max Mantle (Mickey's cousin). David Mantle (Mickey's son) in the background near pole.
	Crowd before the ceremony
	View of backstop from the speaker seating area.
	Close up of Ted Watts sign that hangs on the press box.
	Ivan Shouse (Mickey's football teammate), John Hall (Author and KOM League expert) and Joe Barker (Mickey's 1948 teammate for baseball, basketball and football)
	Players from the tournament.

"Special thanks to the following companies for helping make the Mickey Mantle Classic a success: Fleer Skybox International, Topps, Upper Deck, Mitchell & Ness, Easton, Louisville Slugger, Diamond and Jocks Nitch. Also special thanks to Howard's Floral of Commerce for making the field look so wonderful for the ceremony."