Jackie Robinson Ballpark moves closer to National Historic Landmark status

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Jackie Robinson Ballpark, where baseball legend Jackie Robinson first donned a Major League Baseball uniform during 1946 spring training with the Brooklyn Dodgers, is one step closer to becoming a National Historic Landmark.  

Originally known as City Island Ballpark, the historic site has gained bipartisan support in Congress. Rep. Mike Waltz, along with every Florida representative and both state senators, is pushing legislation to designate the ballpark a National Commemorative Site. If passed, the bill would prompt a study by the Secretary of the Interior, who has the final authority to grant landmark status.  

Robinson became the first African-American to play in the majors in the modern era, challenging the conventions of the day.

"I think there's a lot of things that wouldn't be the way they are without Jackie," said Jim Jaworski, president and general manager of the Daytona Tortugas, the single-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. "When you look all across professional sports, the only number I'm aware of that's retired in all of baseball, let alone, there's not a number in NHL, NHL, or whatever else, it's No. 42 and that's the way it should be."

The ballpark, which opened in 1914 and is the oldest active minor league stadium in the U.S., has long been a symbol of baseball and civil rights history.