All Star Carpenters

ATC team pictured  left to right: Instructors Ray Walzer, Ricky Okrazweski, Wayne Babjack, Ken Kushik, Tim Keenan, Patty Selby, Jack Dean and Jim Kempton.

At the end of May 2006, Jack Brooks, Executive Secretary-Treasurer and Ray Vogel, Training Director, were approached about building a replica of the entrance perimeter wall of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ old Forbes Field in Oakland in time for an unveiling and historical marker dedication on Friday, July 7, days before the All-Star Game. Jack and Ray handed over the drawings and information to JATC Instructor Ricky Okrazewski. Ricky, being an avid baseball fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, embraced the project with his usual pride and passion as you can see from the pictures below. Ricky, along with Mill Cabinet Instructor Wayne Babjack, coordinated the project along with the support of the JATC Staff and apprentices. At the dedication on July 7, 2006 State Senator Jim Ferlo thanked “the Carpenters Union for building the Forbes Field replica of the entrance wall.” He also stated, “Pittsburgh is a giving community and it is appropriate that we recognize those people who are always willing to give back to the community.” The historic ballpark, built in 1909, was demolished in 1971, but the brick fence from left-center field to rightcenter field was spared along with the flagpole as a monument to the city's baseball history. Forbes Field was the first all steel and concrete ballpark in the nation, home to the Pirates and the site of four World Series and two All Star Games. As noted on the plaque outside of the existing wall (Pennsylvania Historical and Museum commission), the field was also the site of Bill Mazeroski’s game seven, ninth inning World Series winning home run in 1960! The replica wall as pictured below is 12 ft high by 38 ft long. Thanks to Ricky O. and his support team at the JATC the carpenters were also able to hit a game winning homerun with this project, much like Bill Mazeroski’s game winning homerun in the 1960 World Series. It is a true monument to baseball.