As we come to the end of 2026 Women’s History Month, it is fitting that we honor one of Carson City’s amazing women who made a significant and lasting influence on our youth that will endure for as long as baseball is a national pastime.
As the saying goes, “it takes a village,” but missing from that saying is that it takes one far-sighted and convincing villager to get the ball rolling to allow others to follow their lead.
From the beginning, Carson City has had many far-sighted village leaders creating the special community we know today. As generations come and go, those charismatic leaders are forgotten. Few have the curiosity to dig deeper into history to learn the story of who may have led the charge for change, for it always takes the unwavering commitment of one person to affect change.
Over the years, I have made it my mission to learn about Carson’s past and reincarnate the memory of those who were so passionate about this community and did so much. Many of the names of former leaders can be found on local street signs and a few plaques, but little is known about the person or the story.
It is now time once again to shine a light on one far-sighted former village leader who was the force behind the building of Carson’s historic Governor’s Field. That leader happened to be a passionate woman.
There are few who remember Evalyn Lawhon Pollastro as the impetus to build her “fields of dreams,” for Carson’s youth. Few remember her passion and commitment. Some former players remember her name. Carson’s Sheriff Kenny Furlong was one of the youth who played ball on this field, and when I told him our Chamber Leadership Class of 2026 had undertaken the task of further enhancing the field, he remembered that an Evalyn who owned a electric store was instrumental in the building of the field. With this tidbit of information, he charged me and our local historian Jed Block with digging into the archives to bring her story back to the forefront.
The Evalyn the sheriff remember was Evalyn Lawhon Pollastro, a respected local businesswoman for over 30 years, co-owner with husband John of Electric Service of Carson City, civic leader, founder of youth baseball in 1950, later becoming treasurer of the newly formed Little League and Babe Ruth League on Feb. 22, 1957. She belonged to many local civic organizations, received many awards, and was named the Chamber Woman of the Year in 1971. She also was active in establishing the Eagle Valley Children’s Home.
She was the primary impetus in establishing the Youth Baseball Association of Carson City to build Governor’s Field, dubbed as an “elaborate youth recreational complex” then encompassing four baseball fields, a football field, two tennis courts and several play areas on land leased from the highway department and built by an army of volunteers. Many great local baseball players have gone on to the major leagues and got their start on this field.
The official groundbreaking on April 21,1966 was a who’s who of state and local politicians including Governor Grant Sawyer and Carson City Mayor James Robertson. The Carson City Kiwanis Club was a primary donor allocating $1,800 to build the fields and later purchased the first official Babe Ruth uniforms for players.
Today, Governor’s Field encompasses four Little League fields, two Babe Ruth fields, four T- ball fields, two Pop Warner football fields, three batting cages, more than doubling in size as baseball and football continue in popularity. Thousands of our youth have learned valuable life lessons while playing on the “field of Evalyn’s fields.”
She died at the age of 62 in February 1976 having accomplished much in her short life. For her contribution to youth baseball, she received many honors. In 1972, the state baseball tournament was dedicated to her. The road leading into Governor’s Field is today Evalyn Drive, and there is a plaque behind the concession stand honoring her that reads, “We who owe you so much thank you on behalf of the children of this community, present and future.”
Her legacy is alive and well every time a player is at bat or scores a touchdown. Whomever wrote the plaque dedicated to this amazing and energetic woman added, “To you, who may not have known her, glance at the sun, look at the sunset, or that special smile upon your children’s face, that is Evalyn Lawon Pollastro.”
Thank you Sheriff Furlong and Jed Block for your determination in helping to reincarnate one of Carson City’s most influential women whose made such a lasting difference in our community. To the parents and children using this special field, look up to the heavens and give Evalyn a thumbs up!
If you would like to donate to the Chamber Leadership 2026 Project to enhance Governor’s Field, details can be found in the link here.
— Ronni Hannaman is the Carson City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.
