You’ve probably heard of Jackie Robinson. Most people have. But if you head over to Eastside Park in Paterson, New Jersey, you’ll find a spot that honors the man who did exactly what Jackie did, just in the other league, and without nearly as much fanfare.
Larry Doby Baseball Field isn't just a patch of grass. Or, well, it isn't grass anymore. As of May 2025, it’s a high-tech $2.8 million facility that looks more like a pro-level diamond than a neighborhood park.
Honestly, it’s about time.
Doby was the first player to break the color barrier in the American League. He signed with the Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians) in 1947, only eleven weeks after Robinson started with the Dodgers. He dealt with the same spit, the same slurs, and the same isolation, yet his name doesn’t always ring the same bells in history class. In Paterson, though? He’s everything.
The $2.8 Million Glow-Up
For decades, the field at Eastside Park was, frankly, a bit of a mess. It was your standard municipal lot: patchy grass, dirt that turned into a swamp after a light drizzle, and the kind of uneven turf that makes shortstops nervous about their teeth.
That changed in early 2025.
Mayor Andre Sayegh and Larry Doby Jr. cut the ribbon on a total transformation. They ripped out the old natural grass and replaced it with state-of-the-art synthetic turf. It’s built for heavy use, which is necessary because the Eastside High School Ghosts—Doby’s own alma mater—call this place home.
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The coolest part? The details.
- The Number 14: Doby’s iconic jersey number is literally etched into the turf in center field.
- The Sidelines: His name is displayed prominently along the edges of the play area.
- Versatility: They added portable pitching mounds. This sounds like a small technical thing, but it’s huge. It means little leaguers and high school seniors can use the same professional-grade surface without the mound being at the wrong distance.
Beyond the Turf: The Hinchliffe Connection
You can't talk about the Larry Doby Baseball Field without talking about Hinchliffe Stadium. They’re like two chapters of the same book.
While the field at Eastside Park is where the local kids play today, Hinchliffe—located just a few miles away by the Great Falls—is where Doby was actually "discovered." Back in the 1940s, Doby was a four-sport star at Eastside High. We’re talking football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was basically a superhero in cleats.
In 1942, he was playing a high school game at Hinchliffe when the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League took notice. He signed with them under the fake name "Larry Walker" just to keep his amateur status for college.
It’s wild to think about.
A kid from Paterson goes from a high school game at Hinchliffe to the Negro Leagues, then to World War II service in the Navy, and finally to the Cleveland Indians to change the world. The newly renovated Larry Doby Baseball Field acts as a living bridge to that history. It’s not a museum where you can’t touch the exhibits; it’s a place where 16-year-olds are currently trying to hit homers over the same name that broke the AL color line.
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Why the Location at Eastside Park Is Strategic
Eastside Park itself is a massive 66-acre historic district. It was designed back in the late 1800s by John Y. Culyer, who worked on Central Park in NYC.
The neighborhood used to be where the wealthy silk mill owners lived. It’s got these giant Victorian mansions and winding paths. Putting a $2.8 million "Field of Dreams" right in the middle of this historic landscape was a deliberate move by the city.
It wasn't just about baseball.
It was about "environmental justice" and giving kids in an urban environment the same quality of facilities you’d see in a wealthy suburb. If you visit today, you’ll see the orange and blue colors of Eastside High everywhere. The city even themed the nearby roller rink and playgrounds in the same colors to honor Doby.
A Few Things Most People Get Wrong
- It’s not Hinchliffe: Some people get the two confused. Hinchliffe is the massive, historic concrete stadium. Larry Doby Field is the modern baseball diamond in Eastside Park.
- The "Second" Label: People often call Doby the "second" to break the barrier. While true, it ignores that he was the first to go directly from the Negro Leagues to the Majors without a stop in the minors. He didn't have a "buffer" season like Jackie did in Montreal.
- It’s not just for pros: While it looks professional, the field is a public asset. It’s the home of the Paterson Oldtimers Youth Baseball League.
How to Visit and What to Look For
If you’re a baseball nerd or just a history buff, a trip to Paterson is actually a solid Saturday plan.
Start at the Great Falls National Historical Park. It’s one of the most powerful waterfalls in the US, and it’s right next to Hinchliffe Stadium. You can see where Doby played his "pro" games.
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Then, drive about ten minutes over to Eastside Park (150 McLean Blvd).
Walk past the Victorian bandstand and head toward the sound of aluminum bats. When you get to the Larry Doby Baseball Field, look at the center field turf. Seeing that "14" from the bleachers hits differently when you realize the kid playing shortstop might be the next big thing out of Paterson.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Parking: There’s a lot right by the field, but it fills up fast on game days.
- The View: The field is surrounded by massive old-growth trees. It’s one of the most scenic places to watch a game in North Jersey.
- The Vibe: It’s loud. It’s Paterson. Expect a lot of energy, a lot of cheering, and a very deep sense of community pride.
The renovation of this field wasn't just about laying down some plastic grass. It was a $2.8 million "thank you" to a man who handled the weight of a nation with more grace than most of us handle a traffic jam.
Next time you're in North Jersey, skip the mall. Go stand behind home plate at Larry Doby Field. Look at that engraved number in center field. It’s a good reminder that progress doesn't just happen in history books—it happens on 90-foot base paths in the middle of a public park.
To get the full experience, check the Paterson Public Schools athletic calendar to see when the Eastside Ghosts are playing a home game. Watching the local high school team compete on the turf that bears their most famous alum’s name is the best way to see the legacy in action. If you’re interested in the deeper history, make sure to also visit the Charles J. Muth Museum at Hinchliffe Stadium, which houses specific artifacts from Doby’s early career.