“If you build it, they will come.”

These were the words whispered into the ears of Ray Kinsella from the movie “Field of Dreams,” which inspired him to build a baseball diamond in the middle of a cornfield.

In 1949, Ed Neifert decided to build his field of dreams in Tamaqua, and they have been coming for the past 75 years.

He secured the town’s first official Little League charter by positioning a baseball field on a plot of land at the west side of the town, commonly known as the “Bungalow Field,” that is still in operation today. The main Little League complex is now located on North Columbia Street.

On Saturday, Tamaqua celebrated its diamond anniversary of Little League baseball. The event was attended by several dignitaries, who came to acknowledge the 2024 edition of the town’s 8-to-12-year-old teams during opening day ceremonies.

Social Media Director of the Tamaqua Little League - Josh Holmberg - directed the pre-game festivities. In his opening remarks before a large crowd, Holmberg gave credit to the originator.

“I can say that thanks to Mr. Neifert’s efforts, his vision is our reality today.”

Attending the ceremony was Susan DeAngelo, the granddaughter of Mr. Neifert and a lifelong Tamaqua resident. Visibly affected by her moment of recognition, she was presented with a plaque to honor her grandfather and the mention that Tamaqua hosts an Ed Neifert Nine-Year-Old Baseball Tournament every July.

The field is named for Bill Angst, who has been the president of the Tamaqua Little League for the past 29 years. He said the day would be remembered as a very special occasion.

“This is a big deal,” said Angst, who can recall by memory every Tamaqua team that has won a district championship. “We’ve come a long way in 75 years. We now have seven practice fields when there used to be only two. I can remember when we had to practice on the front lawn of Marian High School.”

Jim Burns, the District 18 Administrator for over 40 years, also attended the affair. Mayor Nathan Gerace was present and spoke before the first games were to be played.

“This is a very special day for our community and the recognition for what we are doing here goes beyond the town of Tamaqua,” said Gerace. “We are a reminder of the values of every small town in America where members of the community shop at the local grocery store and are customers of all the small town businesses.

“The people of these small towns are your volunteer baseball coaches, your parents who cook the hot dogs, and those that take care of maintaining the field.”

State Senator David Argall said that 75 years of Little League baseball is no common story.

“Many towns have not reached this incredible mark of time and achievement,” said Argall. “Credit goes to the people who have made it happen, the fund raisers and the hands-on services provided by so many volunteers that we hope will lead others to see that this program continues for the next 75 years.”

State Representative Jamie Barton asked the young players to look at the budding trees and blooming flowers around the field. He told them to be grateful to represent Tamaqua Little League baseball.

“Just like the trees and the flowers, you kids are blooming, too,” said Barton. “Your opportunity has been made possible because of your coaches, your parents, the umpires, the people who cut the grass and line the field and everyone else who helps Tamaqua Little League baseball happen every year.”

Barton then spoke about the uniforms the players were wearing.

“Most of you will not be wearing a baseball uniform when you get older, but that nice uniform you have on today represents you as a member of a team,” added Barton. “In life, you will continue to be part of a team. Your baseball hats might become hard hats or your uniform jerseys might become yellow vests. You will still be a team that works together.

“You are growing as human beings so that at some point in your future life you can contribute to your communities just like everyone here is doing now.”

The field was recently fitted with new lights that were donated by EMD Electronics of Hometown and were installed by West Side Hammer Electric of Bethlehem at no cost to the community. Kelly Hansbury and Eric Dreyfus represented EMD Electronics at the ceremony.

“We sponsored the lighting replacement after a commitment we made last November at a Chamber of Commerce meeting to upgrade the facility,” said Hansberry who is the workforce planning project manager for EMD Electronics. “This is the result of our cooperative efforts.”

To conclude the anniversary ceremonies, Holmberg told the players of all the teams that there is but one rule they should follow for this year and for every season to come.

“These are the best years of your lives, so go out and have fun!”

In the movie Field of Dreams, actor James Earl Jones says, “The one constant through all the years has been baseball … baseball has marked the time.”

Since 1949, “the one constant through all the years” in Tamaqua has been Little League baseball - and Saturday marked the time for the town’s residents to enjoy celebrating their “diamond” anniversary.