Survey suggests naming new Costa Mesa High field after Ed Baume

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District is seeking public input on a request to name the new Costa Mesa High School athletic field after the late Ed Baume, who contributed more than 50 years of service to the school and to community youth football programs.

A survey on the suggestion of “Edgar C. Baume Field” or “Ed Baume Field” will be available through May 11 at surveymonkey.com/r/CMHSFieldNaming.

Baume was known as “Mr. Pop Warner” in Costa Mesa, having spent decades as a volunteer for the youth football program.

When his two sons, Steve and Gary, played at Costa Mesa High in the 1970s, Baume was boosters president for both football and baseball.

Baume died in March from complications of his declining health due to a stroke. He was 88.

“We’re really going to miss not seeing his face at the field,” said Yumi Watanabe-Patterson, Costa Mesa Pop Warner’s president. “From season to season, the one person you could always count on to show up was Ed.”

Watanabe-Patterson submitted the naming request to the district in late March, after Baume’s death.

The athletic field, which is under construction at Costa Mesa High, is expected to open by the fall football season.