Vandals cut down Jackie Robinson statue at youth baseball field

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) - A pair of shoes is all that’s left of a bronze statue of Jackie Robinson at a youth baseball field in Kansas.

The statue was situated in a pavilion in McAdams Park, marking the gateway to the League 42 baseball fields.

The youth baseball program was named in honor of the first African American to play Major League Baseball.

Wichita police say they are investigating who cut the statue down.

League 42 founder and CEO Bob Lutz said he started the program in 2013 after seeing the expense of playing youth baseball grow, oftentimes making it inaccessible for inner-city youth.

League 42 renovated the baseball fields at McAdams Park and unveiled the Jackie Robinson Pavilion in 2021, which included the statue.

“This was the heart and soul of League 42,” Lutz said.

Surveillance video released Thursday shows a truck pull up to the pavilion during the overnight hours, and a least two people topple the statue and load it in what appears to be a brown-colored truck.

“I’m still trying to process the fact that it’s gone, but we’ll do everything in our power to continue to honor Jackie Robinson in this community,” Lutz said.

The league is still looking into whether they can find the mold for a new statue.

Anyone who may know about the theft has been urged to contact Wichita police investigators at 316-268-4407.

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