GREASY, Okla. – The Cherokee Nation celebrated the new ball field in the Adair County community of Greasy on Thursday, part of the Hoskin/Warner Administration’s goals to give grassroots community organizations outdoor wellness activities.
Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner celebrated the tribe’s newest investment with members of the Greasy Community Fellowship Organization to officially open the new Greasy ball field, located at the Greasy Community Center.
“Community revitalization is one of the greatest opportunities for the Cherokee Nation in the 21st century,” said Chief Hoskin. “The ball field in Greasy gives this Cherokee community another place to gather, fellowship, play outdoors and make lasting memories with their neighbors.”
The $1.1 Million Greasy ball field project, which also included public restroom facilities, emergency helipad and a concession stand and safe room, was funded under the tribe’s Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act and ARPA. Future planned projects at Greasy include a small park as well as improvements to the elder nutrition facilities.
The tribe’s Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act of 2019 was permanently reauthorized in 2024. The law earmarks a percentage of $40 million to be invested into Community and Cultural Outreach programs during three-year cycles.
The new ball field is located on the site of the original Keeler Park ball field from the 1960s, where many Cherokee youth, played ball.
“This complex is a great opportunity to bring everyone together,” said Deputy Principal Chief Warner. “We’re blessed to bring the talent together that made this investment possible, as well as perpetuating a favorite Cherokee pastime.”
The tribe will later bring a second phase of investments to the area with a paved walking trail and an outdoor basketball court on-site.
GCFO President Carrie Burnett attended the opening ceremony as a representative of the organization. The nonprofit has partnered with the tribe since 2017.
“Baseball is special to our community, and this field will bring joy for generations to come,” said Burnett. “I played here at the old field barefoot, without cleats. I have many fond memories of that time. I just want to thank everyone who made this possible.”
District 7 Councilor Joshua Sam, of Stilwell, attended the opening ceremony as a representative of the Council of the Cherokee Nation.
“I’m extremely proud for this community and our tribe,” said Councilor Sam. “The folks here have memories of enjoying this space. This field is a beacon to the community, and it will shine brighter as we bring more investments here for our elders and youth.”
Cherokee Nation citizen Hubert Bunch threw out the first pitch. Bunch is a first-language Cherokee speaker and inspired generations of baseball and softball players in Greasy.
“We had a lot of good ball players here back in the day,” said Bunch. “We needed this here in Greasy. I played here at the old field back in the 60s. We had two teams, Greasy and North Greasy. We played ball day and night. Bringing this back is inspiring.”
The community of Greasy is home to several Cherokee speakers, with hundreds living in nearby Cherokee communities. Many Cherokee citizens in the area continue to practice traditional Cherokee lifeways and traditional arts.
Community and Cultural Outreach’s mission is to assist Cherokee community organizations’ ability to increase their effectiveness, enhance essential services to those most in need, build upon the organizational capacity of each community, diversify resources and create collaborations to serve those in Cherokee communities. The program was designed to facilitate opportunities for partnerships and to provide educational and technical assistance, empowering communities to utilize their own abilities in securing and administering general and federal funding opportunities.
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