It was the first game at Mueller Park.

Since then, numerous games have been played there and thousands of fans have enjoyed watching games at New Ulm’s “second field” next to Johnson Park.

But it is a second field that many cities would be proud to claim as their No. 1 field.

This past Sunday, the New Ulm Junior Legion hosted Wayzata at Mueller Park to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Mueller Park.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Mueller Park, pictured looking down atop the hill near right field, recently celebrated its 25th year in operation.

One of the people attending Sunday happened to be Barb Mueller, the niece of the late Al Mueller.

Al Mueller passed away on January 25, 2011.

“This park was a part of his every day life,” she said. “It was part of his community. What this ballpark means is this is Al — I can come down and look at his rock (in front the entrance to Mueller Park) and it feels like he is still here. The ballpark was a dream for him. It was in his heart and it was something that was planned for and committed to and he went through with that commitment for the community of New Ulm and New Ulm baseball, which he loved.”

While baseball was a big part of Al’s life, the game was also a big part of the entire Mueller family.

“All three brothers just loved baseball as did my father as well,” she said. “But the three brothers (Eddie, Augie and John) loved baseball.

“And now this is a beautiful park. And I know that Al would love it — he would absolutely love the park. He would be thrilled at the partnership and how it has become a staple of our community and a hub for our activities. It was his dream to do this and to continue on and it has continued on.”