Youngstown Baseball Field Named After Longtime Player and Coach

Mill Creek League dedicates Field One to honor Gina Yakimoff's 34 years of service.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 10:50pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a youth baseball game, with the players, field, and crowd broken down into overlapping planes of vibrant primary colors.A community comes together to honor the legacy of a beloved youth baseball coach who dedicated over three decades to mentoring local players.Youngstown Today

The Mill Creek junior baseball league in Youngstown, Ohio has renamed Field One to the Gina Yakimoff Field in honor of a lifelong player and coach who dedicated over three decades to the league before passing away from cancer last year. Hundreds attended the opening day ceremony where league officials surprised Yakimoff's family with the dedication.

Why it matters

The renaming of the baseball field is a meaningful way for the Mill Creek community to honor Gina Yakimoff's decades of volunteer work and passion for mentoring local youth through the sport of baseball. It serves as a lasting tribute to her legacy and commitment to the league.

The details

Gina Yakimoff grew up playing in the Mill Creek League and started coaching as a teenager. Over the years, she guided hundreds of local kids on the diamond. Last October, before she passed away from cancer, league officials told her they would rename Field One after her prior to the start of the new season. At Sunday's opening day ceremony, the league dedicated the field to Yakimoff in front of players, coaches, and her family.

  • Gina Yakimoff coached in the Mill Creek League for 34-35 years.
  • Yakimoff passed away from cancer last October.
  • The field was renamed and dedicated on opening day of the league's 72nd season.

The players

Gina Yakimoff

A lifelong player and coach in the Mill Creek junior baseball league who dedicated over three decades of service before passing away from cancer last year.

Dennis Merdich

The president of the Mill Creek junior baseball league who led the effort to rename the field in Yakimoff's honor.

David Yakimoff

Gina Yakimoff's brother, who spoke at the dedication ceremony about his sister's passion for the league and the kids she coached.

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What they’re saying

“She was all about the kids. She was all about the league. All she wanted to see is see us grow, see the kids do better. And don't get me wrong, she had her competitive side from time to time. But once the game was over, she knew we were here for the kids.”

— Dennis Merdich, President, Mill Creek junior baseball league

“I know she has to be looking down and that pitch that I threw out. I'm sure she's probably rubbing her head going 'oh Dave, I can't believe you threw that'. But she'll be happy. She was happy with what would happen today. So and my families, we feel so blessed with this turnout.”

— David Yakimoff, Gina Yakimoff's brother

What’s next

The Mill Creek junior baseball league will continue to honor Gina Yakimoff's legacy by playing on the newly dedicated Gina Yakimoff Field for the remainder of the 2026 season and beyond.

The takeaway

Gina Yakimoff's decades-long dedication to mentoring local youth through baseball has left a lasting impact on the Mill Creek community. The renaming of Field One to the Gina Yakimoff Field ensures her passion and commitment will be remembered for generations to come.