OAKWOOD PARK COMMUNITY DAY EVENTS

Sept. 9 is South Lorain Community Day at Oakwood Park, 2047 E. 36th St., South Lorain. There are a number of activities planned.

“The park should be well populated from 9 a.m. until dark,” said Bob Renney, chairman of the Oakwood Park Planning Committee. “It’s going to be really nice to see it come alive again.”

• At 8 a.m., volunteers are needed to help clear Field 4, the overgrown ball diamond.

If possible, volunteers should bring gloves, rakes, shovels and garbage bags.

Volunteers need to sign waivers and should meet at the Ohio National Guard Armory at 8 a.m., Sept. 9, to begin, said Councilman Mitch Fallis, chairman of Lorain City Council’s Parks & Recreation Committee and a member of the Oakwood Park Planning Committee.

• At 9 a.m., a home run derby will open the re-groomed Field 3 ball diamond. The derby has no entry fee; the winner will take home $100 and a trophy. Entry will be allowed up to starting time, said Rey Carrion, a member of the Oakwood Park Planning Committee.

• At 10 a.m., the new September Classic Softball Tournament will start. There are eight teams playing in games starting every 90 minutes. The championship game is scheduled about 7 p.m.

“This is our way to showcase Field 3, which has not been used in a few years,” Carrion said. “It was overgrown just three weeks ago.”

The event also is meant to honor for Ralph Berrios, who is fighting cancer.

A 1982 Southview High School graduate, Berrios played baseball and basketball in school. He has become well known locally for coaching baseball and basketball, including as head basketball coach at Lorain County Community College.

Berrios was on two teams inducted to the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame and is a 20-year umpire in Lorain County, so the tournament is dedicated as “a big hug” to him, Carrion said.

• The Lorain County Warriors Youth Football team will have a game against Garfield Heights. Their games typically attract a couple hundred people, Carrion said.

• There will be music and food trucks for the day.