Games played earlier this year at restored Manzanar baseball field
featured teams in retro-style uniforms.

By MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS
Rafu Sports Editor

Great Leap and the Manzanar Baseball Project have announced the public grand opening of the restored baseball diamond at Manzanar National Historic Site has been canceled, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Originally scheduled for Oct. 18, a doubleheader was to be the culmination of a years-long effort headed by project director Dan Kwong. It was postponed to Nov. 1 in the hopes that the shutdown would be resolved and Manzanar would return to full service.

The Manzanar site is part of the U.S. National Parks system and the site remains closed until the government re-opens.

A notice posted Friday by Great Leap and the Manzanar Baseball Project said the grand opening is now set for October 2026, and thanked supporters and volunteers for their efforts.

“We understand some folks have made travel plans, and we’re doing our best to provide at least a seven-day notice to help minimize possible financial impact,” Kwong said after the first postponement. “While we recognize the timing isn’t ideal with the holidays around the corner, we’re incredibly excited to share this experience with you and remain steadfast in our commitment to honoring this history.”

Kwong told The Rafu that he hopes to make games an annual tradition on the field, which has been restored by scores of volunteers, from identifying markers of the old diamond and pulling weeds by hand, to the construction of the backstop, fan seats, and a raised announcers’ booth – which was nearly finished when they were told to stop work and vacate Manzanar two weeks ago.

Nov. 1 was the last reasonable date for the games this year Kwong said, as the weather in the Owens Valley can be harsh and unpredictable in fall and winter.

“The community that has rallied around Manzanar Baseball Project is a beautiful and powerful example of people of all different backgrounds being able to come together and support a common cause – something we need more than ever now,” Kwong said.

“That for me is one of the most beautiful things about this project,” he added.

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