First Pitch Thrown At James Lodato Field of Dreams In Wantagh

WANTAGH, NY — Seven-year-old James Lodato who lost his battle with cancer in 2018 was remembered as a child who demonstrated hope, courage, and strength in his illness one recent Saturday at the dedication of a baseball field in his honor, school officials said.

“I am very happy to see my son’s name on such a beautiful field,” wrote James’ father, Jimmy Lodato, in a Facebook post for The James Lodato Foundation, referencing the new baseball field, James Lodato Field of Dreams at Forest Lake Elementary School.

A bronze home plate will eventually be set as the centerpiece of a brick walk there when a flag pole is installed at the field in the future, according to Lodato.

“Thank you once again for all of your support in making this happen,” he wrote.

The field, which was constructed at Forest Lake Elementary School where Lodato attended classes, was made possible, in part, by a memorial fundraiser that members of the community contributed to.

The rest was the work of former school principal Anthony Ciuffo and former Wantagh Little League President Ray Whitaker, who worked together to bring the project come to fruition, school district officials said.

Ciuffo, whose idea to honor Lodato resulted in the baseball field, explained the much-anticipated venue is more than just a baseball field.

“This field will serve as a reminder of how fragile life is and how something so beautiful can come from the most horrendous of life’s tragedies,” Mr. Ciuffo said. “We hope to see this field bring joy, laughter, memories, and many life lessons to the children of Wantagh.”

“This field is about our hero James Lodato. May his spirit live on and guide those who are lucky enough to play on it,” he added.

Whitaker explained he never had the privilege of meeting Lodato, but he believes he and the youngster would have been good friends due to their allegiance with the New York Mets.

“I would like to thank James Lodato for the friends I have made along the way [during the project] and for bringing us all together,” he said.

Schools Superintendent John McNamara commended Ciuffo for his passion for the project and his knowledge of what it would mean for the healing process.

“This is a special day for the community. We will learn terrific life lessons [on the field] and honor James Lodato as we do,” he said.

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder was also on hand to announce there are plans to build a scoreboard on the field, but then on a serious note reminded the younger members of the audience to be respectful of each other when playing on the field.

“It is important that you remember James and what he stood for. To remember James is to remember what he brought to the community,” he said.

Nassau County Legis. Steven Rhoads noted the field is a “great reminder of what the Wantagh community is — neighbor knowing neighbor.”

“It’s a special, and hallowed place, and a [baseball field] generations will be able to enjoy,” he added.

School officials said the dedication ceremony was attended by not only the little league, but Lodato’s classmates, and residents of the community.

“A beautiful day for a beautiful boy,” one of his parents wrote on a Facebook page for the field, adding, “Thank you all.”

The James Lodato Foundation plans a memorial golf outing in September.