Ball Field to Be Named for Longtime Coach

City Council members have decided to name a baseball field at Esteli Park after Richard T. Gross, a longtime community volunteer who coached city sports leagues.

Gross, who died in 1991, coached several youth sport teams, and city officials this week overwhelmingly agreed that the field should bear his name.

Mayor Steven C. Anderson and Councilman Juan M. Garcia called Gross a good friend and unselfish man who was committed to the youth of the community.

Gross’ widow, Rhoda Gross, said her husband would have been touched by the honor.

“It’s such a wonderful honor,” she said. “If anything could be done in his memory, this would be the ultimate.”