Inner City Youth Baseball Program Celebrates 15 Years of Making a Difference
May 3, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
Grand Rapids- This year marks 15-years of private, public, corporate and non-for-profit organizations partnering together to make a difference in the lives of Grand Rapids' inner city youth. More than 18,000 youngsters have participated in the Inner City Youth Baseball Program since it began in 1995.
The Inner City Youth Baseball Program provides kids ages 5-12 the opportunity to cultivate friendships, experience teambuilding, and grow self-confidence as they learn to play softball or baseball at the city's parks and fields and take-part in recreational programming throughout the summer at the Grand Rapids YMCA.
"This is a program that all Grand Rapids' residents should be proud of because children who wouldn't otherwise be able to participate in such summer activities are given the opportunity to do so," said Dwayne Moore of the David D. Hunting YMCA. "As you see the smiles on the kids' faces and watch them grow and prosper throughout the summer you realize just how impactful the program is at an individual level."
The summer program is free of charge for all participants and is made possible by the generous support and donations of Fifth Third Bank, the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Grand Rapids YMCA, and the city's Parks and Recreation Department. Kids can register by stopping in at the YMCA and getting an application or by visiting the YMCA website at http://bit.ly/bK6nRz to download an application, complete and return to the YMCA by May 16.
Glove Drive:
To ensure all kids have proper equipment a community-wide baseball and softball glove drive will take place at all Grand Rapids YMCA's, Fifth Third Ballpark and at select Fifth Third branch locations in Kent and Ottawa counties from May 3 - 24.
On Monday, May 3, Crash, the Whitecaps Mascot, will kick-off the glove drive campaign at the Grand Rapids YMCA from 4 - 6:30 p.m. with free ballpark hotdogs and many youth activities such as fast pitch, face painting, and an inflatable jump pit. Two free West Michigan Whitecaps tickets will be given to each individual donating a gently used glove at the kick-off event and throughout the 3 week campaign. The goal is to collect 1,000 gloves.
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