090425…R CAFFIE 2…Warren…09-04-25…Darren Caffie of Warren, Great-nephew of Charlie Caffie, heart, cuts the ribbon throughout the dedication of the Caffie Field in Perkins Park Thursday afternoon surrounded by Charlie Caffie’s family and friends…by R. Michael Semple
WARREN — City officers rededicated a baseball subject to Charlie Caffie and unveiled a strolling path in honor of John Novak throughout occasions at Perkins Park on Thursday, recognizing two native legends with deep ties to the neighborhood.
The rededication of Field No. 4 paid tribute to Charlie Caffie, a towering determine in Warren’s baseball historical past. Mayor Doug Franklin highlighted Caffie’s intensive contributions as a participant, coach, supervisor, scout and sponsor, noting his pivotal position in constructing the metropolis’s sandlot baseball league. Franklin mentioned Caffie pitched his final full recreation at age 75 in 1975 and remained energetic in the sport till his loss of life in 1986.
David “Sonny” Morgan, who labored with Caffie, recalled making ready fields alongside him and described Caffie’s distinctive teaching model — typically sporting a swimsuit. Morgan additionally talked about notable gamers like Joe White and Paul Warfield, each of whom performed below Caffie’s steerage.
Darren Caffie, the great-nephew of Charlie, shared that Caffie moved to Warren in 1922 searching for work to assist his household, starting his baseball journey at Republic Steel. He later coached a various group of gamers, together with Warfield and eventual MLB participant Bill White, leaving a long-lasting impression on the sport. A consultant from state Sen. Bernie Moreno’s workplace offered a proclamation to the household, acknowledging the dedication. Known as Warren’s “Mr. Baseball,” Caffie was inducted into the Trumbull County Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
He managed the Warren Gamecocks, with which gamers like Ted Toles launched their careers, and his seven-decade affiliation with baseball earned him widespread admiration for his contagious enthusiasm.
The strolling path dedication honored John Novak, a beloved neighborhood member who walked Perkins Park’s perimeter practically day by day till age 98. Mayor Franklin famous Novak’s passing at age 99 and his service in the U.S. Army Air Corps throughout World War II.
Former Mayor and present councilman at giant, Michael O’Brien praised Novak’s assist for his son Al Novak, who served as a Warren metropolis council member for 30 years, from 1991 to 2021. Al Novak spoke warmly of his father’s dedication to sustaining household properties in Warren and Pennsylvania.
Born in 1922 in Youngstown, Novak labored at Grinnell Corp. for 15 years earlier than retiring in 1974. After surviving most cancers in 1975, he volunteered at a hospital, showcasing his dedication to serving to others.
Novak’s love for the outside shone via his hobbies of searching, fishing and touring to go to household throughout the nation.
His day by day walks impressed the path, which was constructed utilizing American Rescue Plan funds as a part of $1.5 million in park enhancements. Family members unveiled an indication and minimize a ribbon to formally open the path.