You might call it a Japanese American field of dreams in the midst of a nightmare.
The Idaho State Journal reports that a baseball field used by those incarcerated at Minidoka will be reconstructed.
It’s a joint project of the National Park Service and Friends of Minidoka. They are seeking both volunteers and donors to help with the reconstruction.
“This is a great opportunity to add to the development at the site, interpret some of the ways the incarcerated were able to persevere, and give visitors a new opportunity to relate to the story of the incarceration.”
The rebuilding will take place May 28.
“Sports, especially baseball, were very important in Japanese American communities from before the war, said Mia Russell, executive director of Friends of Minidoka. “During the wartime imprisonment, it was a way to maintain normalcy in their lives, overcome the nature of life in a desolate new place, and to build connections with local communities,” Russell said.
Anyone interested in helping can contact the Friends of Minidoka at [email protected].
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