Freeport gets wooden statue of Harry Caray

FREEPORT -- Chicago's Wrigley Field has a life-sized statue of sportscaster Harry Caray, and now Little Cubs Field in Freeport has one, too.

But Chicago's is bronze, and Freeport's is wooden -- and carved with a chain saw.

The new statue was to be unveiled Saturday, with Caray's widow, Dutchie, and former Peoria Chiefs owner Pete Vonachen as celebrity guests.

Rich Kruse, a chain saw artist in Ridott, carved the statue, which is surrounded by a small garden and located on the first-base side of the field.

The ceremony as to highlight the Second Annual PeeWee Classic baseball tournament at Little Cubs Field. Teams from throughout the Midwest have been invited to the weekend tournament, for PeeWee players ages 7 and 8.