Life

Wilson Park Chronicles, a short documentary film detailing the significance this park has attained in the community of Vallejo, California, will be screened in the Multicultural Center Theater on Tuesday, February 28 at 6 p.m.

By Danny Meza, Diversity & Outreach Peer
Friday, February 24th, 2017 - 1:00pm


Wilson Park Chronicles, a short documentary film detailing the significance this park has attained in the community of Vallejo, California, will be screened in the Multicultural Center Theater on Tuesday, February 28, at 6 p.m. in honor of Black History Month.

Vallejo has produced one of the highest number of players signed and/or playing for Major League Baseball teams of any U.S. city, and most of these players have been African-American. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees pitcher and 2009 World Series Champion, is one of the many baseball talents to emerge from the Wilson Park community and stars in the film. Earl "E-40" Stevens also appears in Wilson Park Chronicles. UCSB Alum and current member of Graduate Divison, Walter Boggan, worked as executive producer, writer, and narrator for this project, and another UCSB alum, Brandon James, directed the film.

Unfortunately, African-American participation in MLB has dwindled in recent years, as has the number of players emerging from Wilson Park. Through one-on-one interviews, Wilson Park Chronicles details the rich history of baseball in Vallejo as well as the importance that Wilson Park has always played in this history. The film will also address the steps necessary to revive African-American youth participation in baseball.

The film runs for 32 minutes and is free to attend.