AUDIO: Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken Jr. attend ribbon cutting for Derek Jeter Field at Kalamazoo Central High School

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Derek Jeter Field at Kalamazoo Central High School is nearly complete after a total rebuild and realignment of the Maroon Giants’ baseball and softball fields.

Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter was joined by fellow Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. and his sister Sharlee Jeter Tuesday morning at the ribbon cutting.

It was the 118th baseball field that Ripken’s Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation helped to build. The facility cost $5 million and had been in the works since before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Jeter grew up just beyond the fence of the old field and said among his memories was practicing with his sister and his parents growing up. Both fields are artificial turf and press boxes are yet to be built.