By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – One of the baseball fields at Alabaster’s Warrior Park will forever memorialize a parent who gave much of his time to ensure the development of the city’s youth athletic programs, Parks and Recreation leaders unveiled on March 17.

On opening night of the Alabaster Parks and Recreation’s baseball and softball seasons at Veterans Park, Alabaster City Councilman Scott Brakefield, Calera City Councilman Philip Busby, who grew up playing in the Alabaster city recreation leagues, and Alabaster Parks and Rec Director Tim Hamm unveiled a new sign honoring the late John Douglass Jr.

Douglass, who died at the age of 76 on May 26, 2016, dedicated much of his life to volunteering with the Alabaster youth sports leagues, and played a major role in growing the league over the decades.

The sign, which reads “John Douglass Field, Built 1983,” will be hung at Field C at Warrior Park off Thompson road.

“We lost John Douglass about a year ago, and we really lost someone special,” Brakefield said. “He is very deserving of this honor.”

Parks and Rec leaders unveiled the sign following the parade of teams onto the main baseball field at Veterans Park during a ceremony featuring Douglass’ family members.

Douglass was born in Huntsville, and moved to Alabaster with his wife and three sons in 1977. Once in Alabaster, he became heavily involved in the city sports leagues almost immediately.

“We had dads back then who made commitments to be involved in coaching not only their own children, but other children in the community as well,” Busby said, noting Douglass was his first coach in 1979. “John got involved, and stayed involved for many years. He had a lifelong friendship with the community.

“John was one of the most dedicated coaches I ever had, and we are very proud to be able to honor him tonight,” Busby added.