The weather is starting to warm up in Chicago and that can only mean one thing: Baseball is here.

Cubs Charities’ Diamond Project hosted a ribbon cutting at Lindblom Park in Chicago on Monday before Lindblom Math and Science Academy (LMSA) hosted Leo for a varsity baseball matchup and Little Village Lawndale High School for a softball game.

It was the first such event of 2022. Over the course of the year, there will be 11 other Diamond Project ribbon cuttings as part of an investment of more than $2 million in baseball and softball fields across the city.

It has been a tough couple of years for youth and prep baseball and softball leagues amid the ongoing pandemic with constant cancellations or schedule adjustments. With the 12 ribbon cuttings throughout 2022, Cubs Charities is showing its support for youth leagues around the city.

Monday’s ribbon cutting celebrated a $330,000 investment in the baseball and softball facilities at Lindblom Park. In addition to Cubs Charities and LMSA, the Chicago Park District, Alderman Stephanie Coleman (16th Ward) and Alderman Raymond Lopez (15th Ward) were also in attendance for the event.

And of course, Clark the Cub was there.

Baseball and softball players from Lindblom Park Math and Science Academy (LMSA) take part in the summer Cubs RBI league.

Tristan Hannah threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Hannah graduated from LMSA in 2016 and is now an assistant baseball coach with LMSA and the Cubs RBI All-Stars program.

For more on the Diamond Project — which has committed more than $10.8 million to capital improvement projects and youth baseball and softball programs — head to Cubs.com.

All photos courtesy of Nicee Martin Photo & Design.