DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A Florida congressman has introduced legislation to commemorate deep-rooted history in Daytona Beach, memorializing Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

The bill, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Commemorative Site Act, would help to further recognize Robinson's contributions to both minor- and major-league baseball, including the color barriers he broke by playing in front of a segregated crowd in 1946.

The game would go down in history as the first professional game that Robinson played. At the time, he was a part of a minor-league team called the Montreal Royals, a minor-league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1946, the team played in a mixed-race spring training game in Daytona Beach. That game took place at the City Island Ball Park, which was later renamed after Jackie Robinson and now is the home game stadium for the Daytona Tortugas.

The measure was introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, R-District 6, and co-sponsored by Rep. Darren Soto, D-District 9, and others. It calls for Jackie Robinson Ballpark to be designated as a National Commemorative Site and to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study to give the site the designation of National Historic Landmark.

Tortugas General Manager Jim Jaworski and Waltz spoke before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Federal Lands and officials with the National Park Service to express their desire to have Jackie Robinson Ballpark recognized as a historic landmark.

According to Waltz, the Daytona Beach community opened its arms to Robinson and the Royals, allowing them to play in a mixed-race game. On the other hand, Waltz said surrounding communities in Florida did not allow the same opportunity.

“Local baseball affiliates in Jacksonville and Sanford, believe it or not, they locked their stadiums to not allow Robinson and the Royals to play," Waltz said. "They forced the cancellation of exhibition games due to local laws and ordinances that prohibited mixed-race athletics, but thankfully, and I’m proud to say Daytona Beach permitted the game."

National Park Service officials said they believe more steps are required before they can give a green light to move forward.

“We feel strongly that a special resource study process gives us an opportunity to have a public input with stakeholders and the local community as we complete the special resource study and provide Congress our recommendations," said Michael Caldwell, associate director of park planning, facilities and lands with the National Park Service.

If the bill passes, Jackie Robinson Ballpark would also be added to the African American Civil Rights Network. Additionally, the legislation would allow officials to start the process of having the stadium designated as a National Historic Landmark.