Field of Memories
One man's tribute to his dying wife opens up a new world for neighborhood kids
By JAMISON UHLER, MATT MAIORANO and DAN MACHT
Updated 1:37 PM EDT, Wed, Oct 14, 2009
Bob Kirk has built a field of memories in the backyard of his suburban Philly home where the neighborhood kids play Wiffleball. If only his late wife Cindy could see how it all turned out.
"She was really an inspiration," Kirk tells NBCPhiladelphia.
Last May, Cindy died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
A lifelong baseball fan, Cindy used to love to play Wiffleball in her backyard with her husband and their two kids, Ryan and Amanda.
But as her health deteriorated, it was hard to get Cindy down a flight of steps. So the kids started playing out front so she could watch the game through the bay window.
Meanwhile, Kirk got the idea to erect a Wiffleball field -- what he now calls a monument to his wife -- in their backyard.
He built a fence, scoreboard and backstop, and laid freshly chalked baselines. Floodlights illuminate Bible passages on outfield walls.
Kirk named the miniature stadium Carrr Park after the first letter in the first names of each family member – even the dog.
"Concepts kept coming into my mind," he said. "I just kept doing it."
At night 20 to 30 kids now flock to the miniature baseball diamond. They leave the Mecca of Warminster Township only when forced to by curfew.
He thinks he may enjoy the place more than all the kids.
"I like cutting my field," he says. "I like raking it. I’m in my glory."
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First Published: Oct 14, 2009 7:24 AM EDT
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