090425...R CAFFIE 2...Warren...09-04-25...Darren Caffie of Warren, Great-nephew of Charlie Caffie, center, cuts the ribbon during the dedication of the Caffie Field in Perkins Park Thursday afternoon surrounded by Charlie Caffie's friends and family...by R. Michael Semple

WARREN — City officials rededicated a baseball field to Charlie Caffie and unveiled a walking path in honor of John Novak during events at Perkins Park on Thursday, recognizing two local legends with deep ties to the community.

The rededication of Field No. 4 paid tribute to Charlie Caffie, a towering figure in Warren’s baseball history. Mayor Doug Franklin highlighted Caffie’s extensive contributions as a player, coach, manager, scout and sponsor, noting his pivotal role in building the city’s sandlot baseball league. Franklin said Caffie pitched his last complete game at age 75 in 1975 and remained active in the sport until his death in 1986.

David “Sonny” Morgan, who worked with Caffie, recalled preparing fields alongside him and described Caffie’s unique coaching style — often wearing a suit. Morgan also mentioned notable players like Joe White and Paul Warfield, both of whom played under Caffie’s guidance.

Darren Caffie, the great-nephew of Charlie, shared that Caffie moved to Warren in 1922 seeking work to support his family, beginning his baseball journey at Republic Steel. He later coached a diverse group of players, including Warfield and eventual MLB player Bill White, leaving a lasting impact on the sport. A representative from state Sen. Bernie Moreno’s office presented a proclamation to the family, acknowledging the dedication. Known as Warren’s “Mr. Baseball,” Caffie was inducted into the Trumbull County Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

He managed the Warren Gamecocks, with which players like Ted Toles launched their careers, and his seven-decade association with baseball earned him widespread admiration for his contagious enthusiasm.

The walking path dedication honored John Novak, a beloved community member who walked Perkins Park’s perimeter nearly every day until age 98. Mayor Franklin noted Novak’s passing at age 99 and his service in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

Former Mayor and current councilman at large, Michael O’Brien praised Novak’s support for his son Al Novak, who served as a Warren city council member for 30 years, from 1991 to 2021. Al Novak spoke warmly of his father’s dedication to maintaining family properties in Warren and Pennsylvania.

Born in 1922 in Youngstown, Novak worked at Grinnell Corp. for 15 years before retiring in 1974. After surviving cancer in 1975, he volunteered at a hospital, showcasing his commitment to helping others.

Novak’s love for the outdoors shone through his hobbies of hunting, fishing and traveling to visit family across the country.

His daily walks inspired the path, which was constructed using American Rescue Plan funds as part of $1.5 million in park improvements. Family members unveiled a sign and cut a ribbon to officially open the path.