MLB, Phillies unveil renovated youth baseball field as All-Star festivities begin in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Major League Baseball and the Philadelphia Phillies kicked off All-Star weekend by unveiling a newly renovated youth baseball field at FDR Park on Friday, part of a broader effort to invest in local communities as the city hosts the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.

The upgraded Ashburn Field now features a synthetic turf surface, replacing the former grass and dirt field that was frequently unusable because of flooding and rain.

"What better way to kick off All-Star weekend by investing in our young people?" Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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According to Phillies officials, the field renovation builds on MLB's previous investment in the site three decades ago and will allow significantly more baseball and softball games to be played each year.

"Thirty years after the initial support to build Ashburn Field, MLB has now provided the kids of our city with a state-of-the-art turf field," said Rob Holiday, the Phillies' director of youth baseball.

Holiday said the field hosts about 125 events annually but previously lost roughly 30% of those events because of wet weather.

The ceremony, with the Phillie Phanatic cutting the ceremonial ribbon, was followed by opening games of the All-Star Commissioner's Cup.

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The tournament brings together elite youth baseball teams from across the country, including the Phillies Urban Youth Academy.

"It's such a unique thing. The kids are treated like big league ballplayers," said Mark Solomon, whose son is representing the Phillies Urban Youth Academy. "We don't see them for the next several days."

Participants in the Commissioner's Cup will also attend several marquee All-Star events throughout the weekend, including the Swingman Classic, the Futures Game and the Home Run Derby before returning home Tuesday.

"They'll play all these games, then go across the street tonight for the Swingman Classic. Sunday they'll go to the Futures Game. Monday they'll go to the Home Run Derby, then they'll fly home Tuesday morning," said Justin Chasmar, the Phillies' coordinator of youth baseball and softball development.

Chasmar said the investment is about more than improving a playing surface.

"Pouring into youth baseball and softball... this is our next generation of fans," he said. "Being able to provide something like this gives kids another place to come play on a really nice surface."

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game will be played Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. In addition to games at the ballpark, fans can take part in All-Star Village at the Pennsylvania Convention Center throughout the weekend.