Ontario city leaders are debating what to do with the iconic Jay Littleton Ball Park, a city staple for nearly 100 years that once housed a minor league baseball team and was used as a filming location for a Hollywood classic after it burned in 2024. They say that restoration could cost at least $100 million, which isn’t fiscally possible.
During a city council meeting on Wednesday night, many residents fought to maintain the historic site for nostalgia’s sake. Mando Escobar says that he used to play on the field years ago and help prep before games. He wants to share that part of his life with his own son.
“To me, it’s got a lot of history behind it,” Escobar said. “Now, I want my little boy to play there when he turns 15. That’s why I want this to come back so we can get back to playing.”
After a fire ripped through the grandstands, leaving just the outfield fence and scoreboard behind, the now-fenced-off ballpark has sat empty and charred. Before that, it was a nonstop attraction for baseball lovers and film crews alike…