Baseball field in Youngstown renamed in honor of Gina Yakimoff
Players in the Mill Creek Junior Baseball league started their 2026 season by renaming their field in honor of a beloved longtime coach named Gina Yakimoff.
Dennis Merdich is the president of Mill Creek Junior Baseball.
“Not only is it the 72nd year of Mill Creek Junior Baseball, it is also a special day as we honor a lifelong player, coach, office and dear friend of the league, Gina Yakimoff,” he said. “She’s a wonderful person and we’ll never forget her.”
According to the league, Yakimoff spent over 45 years with the Mill Creek Jr. Baseball League.
Before her death, the Mill Creek Junior Baseball board presented Yakimoff with a plaque to celebrate the rededication of Field One in Mill Creek in her honor, Merdich said.
“She was so shocked,” Merdich said. “She never did this for recognition; Gina did this for the same reason everyone else did. She wanted to be here for the kids and have a great environment.”
Special guests at the opening ceremony at Kramer Fields in Mill Creek Park included State Rep. Lauren McNally, John Boccieri, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ mascot Scrappy and members of Yakimoff’s family.
“Behind every dugout, every team jersey and concession stand are a slew of volunteers that make dreams possible,” Boccieri said. “From Gina to Dennis and the board, thank you for making dreams possible.”
