Children's hospital dedicates field to Tim Wakefield

BOSTON -- A local children's hospital is showing their appreciation to a Red Sox star.

Pitcher Tim Wakefield has been helping children at the Franciscan Children's Hospital for years.

For all his hard work, the hospital decided to honor him by dedicating a new athletic field in his name.

"Tim Wakefield has been associated with the hospital and supporting Franciscan hospital for children for over a decade now," said Steven Snyder, of the Franciscan Hospital for Children.

Patients and parents are appreciative of Wakefield's involvement with the hospital.

"I've noticed all the plaques and all the donations that he's done, given to the hospital, it just shows what a great man he is," said Bud Buxton, a parent of a patient.

Wakefield said helping out is an honor.

"I'm completely humbled, you do things because you want to and because you believe in the mission of the hospital, but for them to come out and name the field after me, it's probably the best thing that's ever happened to me," Wakefield said.

As part of the "Wake-field" dedication, 12-year-old Kyle Gibbs was chosen to catch the first pitch.

"I was a little bit nervous, but really excited," Kyle said. "I haven't really met a baseball player; well yeah, I have, but not like Tim Wakefield."  

"He did a great job. He did awesome," Wakefield said.

Wakefield insisted that the day was about more than just baseball.

"I think it's a responsibility for us, as adults, whether it's celebrities or athletes to make their dreams come true," Wakefield said. "To be able to put a smile on a kid's face means the world to us."

The hospital said the new field will also be used for kick ball and wiffle ball games and because the field's surface can't freeze, it will be used year round.

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