Fossil Park, St. Petersburg, Florida

Digging Up Fossil Findings

According to the St. Petersburg budget for 1960-61 the grading and construction of a small and large field for Fossil Park cost $4832. These are the fields now known as the Front Field and the Junior Field. It is not known exactly how long construction took but Phil Whitehouse of the Recreation Department has a picture of the completed fields dated 1965. Some sources say even prior to construction of the fields, baseball was being played in the park as early as 1958.

Apparently, around the time of the construction of these fields was when Fossil Park also got its name. Where the pond is located now was once a shell pit. Members of a local shell association submitted letters to the city voicing their concerns against the demolition of the shell pit. It was considered a major archaeological dig site. As a result, the Smithsonian was eventually notified of the situation and they moved the pile to another location so they could sift through it.

Fossil Park Youth Baseball
Comes of Age

In the early 60's baseball in Fossil Park was run under the St. Petersburg Recreation Department with a volunteer booster Board of Directors. A few years later Fossil Park became incorporated as an organization of its own with an elected President and Board of directors.
At that time there were 4 teams in the Major Division (8-12 years old) with one field to play on. The field had no lights or fence and all games were played during the day. The Juniors played at what was then called Busch Complex. The concession stand was run out of the trunk of a car.
Under the leadership of Harold Croft, president, more fields and the concession stand were built in the early 70's. Fossil Park baseball took off and has been growing steadily ever since.

Fossil Park Youth Baseball, Inc. has since became one of Florida's most prestigious youth baseball programs. Over the last 40 plus years Fossil Park has produced countless championship teams and athletes.  Many of our youth have gone on to the Majors or have become Major League Umpires.  Steve Ripley and Augie Donatelli are a couple of high profile "umps" with roots at Fossil Park.  Just ask Wilton Guerrero of the 1997 Dodgers about Ripley (The ol' cork-in-the-bat routine). Others of our talented youth have become successful business professionals in and around the community and abroad.

We at Fossil Park Baseball are proud of our heritage and continue to strive in coaching and instructional excellence and in the development of strong values and minds within our youths.