you know ever since I can remember my dream has been pretty clear I was going to be shortstop for the New York Yankees and I worked extremely hard at it and a lot of the work took place at Calo Central High School and you know the baseball and softball fields are are where many young people they recognize their passions they realize their passions they learn how to overcome obstacles and I learned a lot of things that helped shape me as a player more importantly as a person and uh you know that's work ethic it's passion it's it's family um I do want to point out my parents who are here today because you know I we used to live right there and we would jump the fence as a family and it's sort of rejiggered now that's the word right rejiggered so it's rejiggered now softball field used to be over there so we would jump the fence and for fun and for family time my dad would throw me batting practice my sister and my mom would be shagging in the Outfield then we go over to the softball fields and and we do the same things for her so we have a lot of memories here so I just want to acknowledge my parents and thank you for always supporting us you know our our foundation's program's work is is to empower young people here in C mou to to lead healthy and successful lives um and our hope is with these new field they feel empowered and they can set their minds to accomplish anything um thank you once again K Ripken senior Foundation Cal and the entire team we spent hours last night talking and reminiscing about stories and what a wonderful group and and uh I know how hard it is to run a successful foundation and it's all about the people and you guys are all wonderful we really appreciate your support uh we want to thank kamazo public schools and Elite companies because you know this is a project took a lot of people for us to be standing here today it took many years how many years has it been been about yeah yeah it's mhm it's been a it's been a long one thank you to some of my High School coaches and teachers who are here um and who couldn't come here today but then also everyone that's played a role in this important project and and uh look I know I see some of the softball players here I uh baseball players I'm pulling for you it's been a long time since I've been here I'm going to get out here to watch you guys play but I'm pulling for you I hope you enjoy the new Fields thank you all for coming this is a proud moment for me and my family thank you [Applause]