Cubs Charities Gives School In Wicker Park New Softball Field

CHICAGO, IL — A new softball field was unveiled Tuesday at Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart in Wicker Park. Cubs pitcher Jose Quintana showed up for the ribbon-cutting to celebrate the field's completion. Cubs Charities funded the new field at the all-girls school with a $90,000 grant.

"Today is a great day to be a Jo girl - a #GirlWithoutLimits. With this newly renovated softball field, our players and our community will be able to share their love of the game," said Josephinum Academy President Patti Tuomey.

Ariel Maldanado, a Josephinum senior and softball player said the sport is a "sign of unity."

"Time on the field is not the only aspect of the sport, the time in practice, events and even the bus have been just as important. It is then when the players come to understand each other and what it means to be part of the Josephinum community," Maldanado said.

Secretary of State Jesse White, Illinois State Senator Don Harmon and Alderman Joe Moreno also attended the unveiling.

Cubs Charities Board Chair Laura Ricketts, Sister Janice Boyer of the Sisters of Christian Charity and Sister Mary Bernstein of the Sacred Heart Network gathered on the mound for the ceremonial first pitch.

Josephinum Academy is the longest-standing, all-girls catholic high school in Chicago.

Photo credit: Stephen Green Photograph/Chicago Cubs.