Stacy Ann Baker’s name was well known when she played softball at Lyons Township High School in the 1980s.
While at Lyons Township, Baker, who graduated in 1985, earned a softball scholarship to Northern Illinois University after she was named most valuable player on the Lions’ softball team.
Baker died in 1999 in a car crash at age 32, but her name will now live on as Lyons Township’s varsity softball field in La Grange was dedicated April 7 in a formal ceremony as Stacy Ann Baker Field. A video of the dedication is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MByXn5jczQ.
After college, Stacy became a member of the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, where she started her career in the trading pits, according to a release from the school.
The design and construction improvements at the new field were funded by a $3 million donation from the Stacy Ann Baker Charitable Fund.
The celebratory dedication program included school leadership, members of the Baker family, and supporters of the softball program at Lyons Township. It took place before a game where the ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Stacy Ann’s former teammate, Gianna Galanti. The varsity game was played against Leyden Township High School’s team, coached by another former teammate, Laura Scafidi. Lyons Township won the Stacy Baker dedication day game, beating Leyden 10-3.
Stacy’s brother, Michael Baker, said his sister’s friends helped his family raise money by entering the Stacy Ann Baker Fund Run as part of the the 1999 Chicago Marathon. The money was used to start the Stacy Ann Baker Memorial Scholarship at Lyons Township High School.
“Softball was a big memory for the family as Dad (John) played 16-inch softball that influenced Stacy to play 12-inch,” he said. “Saving money and creating a donor-advised fund, Stacy Ann Baker Charitable Fund, made it possible to present to Lyons Township High School a new Illinois High School Association turf field with lights and more.
“The goal is to honor Stacy and provide students with a better field to do their best.”
Superintendent Brian Waterman said District 204 is extremely thankful for the generous donation made to Lyons Township by the Baker family in honor of Stacy.
“We feel privileged to remember Stacy and her love of softball by improving the varsity softball field,” he said. “Stacy’s passion for our school and softball will be shared with future LT Lions in the years to come.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
