Valerie Cassity-Special to the Sun

Community members crowded the baseball field next to the John E. McNally Rodeo Grounds in Kernville on Sunday to honor George and Darlene Randall for their contributions to the community and to dedicate the space as "Randall Field."

George and Darlene Randall, who first came to the Kern Valley to camp in 1956 and fell in love with the town of Kernville, have been working behind the scenes to help the community and its children in a myriad of ways since they purchased a home here in the 1970s. They built the Kernville sign at Sierra Way and Hwy. 178 as well as the one at Camp 9, contributed to the landscaping the hill at Kernville Elementary School, assisted with many projects at Camp 9, and helped Francine Stirling and Kernville Elementary School with musical instruments for their bands.

The Randalls are probably most famous in the Kern Valley for Darlene's special project of creating a winter wonderland in Circle Park each year for "Christmas in Kernville," and each year it gets bigger and better.

"I've already begun to buy more for this year's Christmas!" Darlene excitedly proclaimed. In addition to setting up the wonderland, George and Darlene collect truckloads of toys each year for the area's less fortunate youth, and have them distributed on Christmas Eve by Santa Claus himself, with the help of local law enforcement officers.

The Randalls conceived the idea of building a ball field when they began spending time in Kernville with their two grandsons and noticed that the town didn't have a baseball field. After clearing it with the Kernville Chamber of Commerce, the Randalls decided to build one, which they did with the help of some local contractors.

"George knows every blade of grass on this ball field and waters it all the time," said Darlene. The field does, indeed, look as if it has been created with love and care, from the well-manicured outfield to the quality bases.

"We love this little town and its people; we enjoyed putting this together for the kids and I hope they enjoy it," said George.

The dedication ceremony began with the local Boy Scout troop holding an American flag for the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem sung by Jacquelyn Miller, followed by a touching invocation from Jeanette Rogers.

Outgoing Kernville Chamber of Commerce President Mike Ludiker acted as emcee for the event.

"These two people have blessed the valley with their quiet and unfaltering generosity that has touched the lives of every person in the Kern River Valley," he said before he declared the ball field as "Randall Field from this time forth."

When George went to unveil the "Randall Field" sign behind home plate, the rope came down in his hands, but the sign was still covered. So three boys climbed the fence to help with the unveiling.

Next, the High Country Outlaws performed a skit about some questionable origins of baseball, which involved hitting a rock with a stick, or at least attempting to. They enlisted George to play the umpire, with the inept hitter threatening Randall at his calls of strikes.

Some important guests had also come to pay their respects to the Randalls for their many good works in the Kern River Valley. The Governor and First Lady of Nevada and 40-year friends of the Randalls, Kenny and Dema Guinn, were there to present them with a plaque honoring their achievements.

"George has been doing so much for children for so many years wherever he is," said the Governor. He also mentioned that like he and his wife, George and Darlene recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy presented the Randalls with a California flag that had flown over the State Capitol building. "This ball field embodies the spirit of the Randalls' teamwork and opportunity. Some day a kid is going to hit a home run here and realize that his dreams can come true," said McCarthy.

Supervisor Jon McQuiston gave the Randalls a certificate of recognition of their civic contributions, particularly to children in the Kern Valley, and Vincent Fong, representing Congressman Bill Thomas, gifted the Randalls with another certificate of recognition and an American flat that had flown over the nation's capitol. Incoming Kernville Chamber of Commerce President Cheryl Borthick presented awards to all of the people who had a hand in helping the Randalls to build the ball field. A variety of organizations and businesses then had representatives lined up to personally thank the Randalls for what they have done for the children of the Kern River Valley.

"This is pretty exciting," said George, "I know a lot of people, but I don't know anyone that has a ball field named after him."