Junior Grizzlies Set To Play Ball On A Field Of Dreams
August 14, 2007 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Fresno Grizzlies News Release
Special Education students are ready to hit the first ball in a field built just for them, thanks to the Fresno Grizzlies Community Fund, Clovis Unified School District and Granite Construction. The official "first ball" will be thrown out at a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, August 17 at 10 a.m. on the Junior Grizzlies Field of Dreams. The new synthetic turf baseball field, located at Gateway High School in Clovis, will serve kids with physical and mental disabilities, and is the first of its kind in the area.
The field is the result of hundreds of community members coming together in a unique way and involved the volunteer efforts of more than 20 companies, Clovis Unified and the Fresno Grizzlies Community Fund. Within 80 days of the May 31 groundbreaking event, the field has been transformed from an all grass field to a rubberized diamond where children in wheelchairs or using walking aids will be able to play on their own.
"This field has been a dream of ours for quite some time. From start to finish this field was truly a community project. Without the help and support of Granite Construction we would not be where we are today, ready to open our Field of Dreams." Said Brian Glover, Grizzlies Managing Partner
WHAT: Grizzlies ownership and players will be joined by CUSD Board members, District Superintendent Terry Bradley, Granite Construction representatives and Special Education students to officially open the Junior Grizzlies Field of Dreams.
WHERE: Gateway High School
1550 Herndon Ave., Clovis
WHEN: Friday, August 17th at 10:00 a.m.
PHOTO/ Ceremonial ribbon cutting at home plate and Grizzlies players will play ball with
VIDEO: Junior Grizzlies and CUSD Special Education students.
The custom-designed field can accommodate wheelchairs and other walking assistance devices, while helping prevent injuries. The field has been constructed with in-kind support totaling more than $200,000 by Granite Construction and its team of sub contractors. Financial contributions include a $100,000 grant from the Fansler Foundation, $25,000 from SC Johnson, and $5,000 from St. Agnes Hospital. The Clovis Unified School District donated the land and will be responsible for maintenance. The Grizzlies Community Fund coordinated the fundraising and construction of the project.
This field is a state-of-the-art ball field in the Central Valley giving special needs youth from around the area a unique opportunity to participate in recreational activities. The Junior Grizzlies, a baseball and soccer league for kids with physical and mental disabilities, will utilize the field at night and on weekends for practice and games. Clovis Unified School District will use the field during school hours for special education activities.
The event is free and open to the public. All media are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Sarah Marten at 559-994-5687 or visit www.juniorgrizzlies.org.
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