Jimmy's Field of Dreams

It was back in 1994 when tragedy struck Pinky and Jerry Benedick.

Their six-year-old son Jimmy died after suffering a seizure.

Jimmy was an avid baseball fan and a member of the Academy Sabres little league team. Jimmy loved playing for the Sabres so much that he was laid to rest in his uniform, according to philly.com.

While a league and a fund were dedicated to Jimmy after his death, his parents still dreamed of an even greater tribute; his own baseball field.

Today, 17 years since they lost their son, their dream was finally realized.

A new baseball field was created for the Academy Sabres on a land that was once nothing more than a swamp.

The field was formerly a patch of land behind the Parkwood Shopping Center at Academy and Torrey Roads in Northeast Philadelphia.

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Through the hard work of the Benedicks, who are both Philadelphia police officers, as well as help from local lawmakers, the swamp is now a field of dreams.

“I’ve been crying for the past couple of days as we got the sign up and seeing everything coming together,” said Pinky.

The field was dedicated in memory of Jimmy during a heartwarming opening day ceremony this morning at 9:30.

It was a day where friends and family remembered little Jimmy. And now, thanks to a patch of land and a lot of love, he will never be forgotten.
 

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