Four Communities Awarded Field Refurbishments by Blue Ribbon-Panel, Which Included Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr., Three-Time All-Star Ryan Howard and Olympic Gold Medalist Jennie Finch
Marysville, OH – The Scotts® Field Refurbishment Program will, for the sixth consecutive year, award modern, playable youth baseball and softball field refurbishments to four communities of need within the United States, The Scotts Company LLC (Scotts) and Major League Baseball announced today. In total, more than $200,000 in repairs and upgrades will be made by the end of the year.
The four winning organizations include Boys & Girls Clubs of Coastal Blend (Corpus Christi, TX), Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay (Green Bay, WI), Olivet Boys & Girls of Reading and Berks County (Reading, Penn.) and SAY Detroit (Detroit, Mich.).
Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County’s Hoodak Stadium serves as the home stadium for the Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County, an after-school program engaging youth through sports, educational programming, and summer camp programming. The renovated field, located behind a local elementary school, will give youth and adults a safe place to learn the games of baseball and softball.
“It a great day for the youth of our community as three organizations continue their work together to continue the rich history of baseball and softball at the iconic and historical Gordon Hoodak Stadium,” stated Chris Winters, President and CEO for Olivet Boys & Girls Club. “This $50,000 grant from Major League Baseball and Scott’s will allow us to make significant improvements and upgrades to our favorite stadium so the love of baseball and softball continues to be passed down to new generations of youth in Reading and Berks County. Our partnership with the R-Phils and the Reading School District benefits our community in so many ways and we are grateful for their dedication and commitment to our Olivet Mission”, said Winters.
Reading School District Superintendent Dr. Khalid Mumin commented, “Reading School District always appreciates when the community rallies to support our students. The stadium provides a space where students can enjoy a simple pick-up game with friends or start to dream big about possible baseball and softball careers. This grant will provide a valuable investment in our facilities, and it will support our student-athletes who continue to shine both on the field and in the classroom. It will also allow our Athletic Department and coaches to continually build a pipeline of superstar baseball and softball players from elementary school through high school and beyond.”
MLB and Scotts received more than 620 grant applications across nearly every state for the 2021 installment of the Scotts® Field Refurbishment Program. The winning organizations were chosen by a special blue-ribbon panel which included Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., three-time MLB All-Star Ryan Howard, Olympic Gold Medalist & MLB Youth Softball Ambassador Jennie Finch, and Scotts and MLB executives. Through 2021, the Scotts® Field Refurbishment Program will have renovated nearly 30 fields with nearly $2 million of support.
“We are thrilled to announce this year’s grant recipients for our field refurbishment program with MLB,” said Ashley Bachmann, Vice President, Lawns Marketing, Scotts Miracle-Gro. “We are confident that refurbishing these fields will not only encourage kids to get outside and enjoy the games they love, like baseball and softball, but also bring local communities together. This program is an important way we grow more good for our community.”
“Our team is proud to partner with Scotts for another successful year of the Field Refurbishment Program,” said Tony Reagins, Chief Baseball Development Officer, MLB. “After a challenging year with limited youth organized sports, it is our hope that these new fields will act as silver linings in these communities, providing the youth, and other community members, a renovated ballfield where they can continue to engage in baseball and softball activities.”
MLB and Scotts, a long-time league sponsor, began the Scotts® Field Refurbishment Program prior to the 2016 season to provide kids with modern, playable ball fields in communities around the U.S. The Scotts® Field Refurbishment Program is part of Scotts’ Gro More Good initiative to improve children’s health and well-being through increased connection to greenspaces. Scotts is also an official partner of the ‘PLAY BALL’ initiative, the sport’s largest collective effort to encourage young people and communities to participate in baseball- or softball-related activities, including formal leagues, events and casual forms of play.
“On behalf of Baseballtown Charities, and the R-Phils, we are beyond excited to hear of the $50,000 grant that the Olivet Boys and Girls Club will be receiving from Major League Baseball, and Scott’s”, said Scott Hunsicker, Vice President of Baseballtown Charities, and General Manager of the Reading Fightin Phils. “Baseballtown Charities and the R-Phils continue to be dedicated to working with the Olivet Boys and Girls Club to provide baseball and softball opportunities for the marginalized youth of our community, and for kids with physical and developmental challenges. The generous donation of $50,000 by MLB and Scott’s, through their Scott’s Field Refurbishment Program, will be of tremendous aid to the Olivet Boys and Girls Club as they continue to serve their kids with baseball and softball programming. We are excited to continue helping them in that effort.”
You Might Also Like
Eight More Added To United Roster Ahead Of Season Opener
Alvernia’s Hovel Earns UCHC Honors
