Information
History
Chittick Field was originally called Hamilton Bowl. The name was suggested by students from Hamilton Jr. High School, which was located nearby. Brian Chittick, founder of the Kid Baseball Association was a local softball enthusiast who organized leagues through the Long Beach Elks Club and used Hamilton Bowl for practices and games. He advocated for the use of the basin for recreational purposes. In 1983, the fields were named for him.
In 1993, soccer field lights were added as a payment for Park Impact Fees, and in 1995 sports lights for the original four baseball fields were upgraded with Los Angeles County Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Act of 1992 funds. In 2005, .75 acres of former Pacific Electric Railway right-of-way were acquired to expand and redevelop Chittick Field, with funding from Community Development Block Grants. By 2000, the irrigation system for the four original fields had deteriorated and the fields were returning to dirt. Know as the "dust bowl' due to unpaved parking, conditions caused league play to be discontinued and redevelopment planning began.
In 2005, the Salvation Army proposed a $60 million Kroc Community Center for the site to include swimming pools, baseball and soccer fields, a gymnasium and community meeting rooms. In 2009, the EIR on the proposed center is being completed and a final decision on the redevelopment of the site by the Salvation Army is expected.


