We very pleased to be sponsoring this wonderful program and to give credit and honor to the hundreds of individuals who tirelessly support our youth Baseball and Softball Programs.  This year we have secured a third Co-Sponsor.  The  Eugene Emeralds are joining with the Portland Beavers and Salem Keizer Volcanoes for the 2010 Festivities! Nominations will be accepted from parents and organizations from March 1 thru June 15, 2010.  Honorees and Finalists will be celebrated in on-field ceremonies in July  at sponsors' respective ballparks. All Six Honorees (One Coach and Volunteer from all three regions) will receive a $1,000 check to be used by their respective baseball/softball organizations!  For full details and a list of the counties served by each ball club follow this LINK:

We are please to support and help sponsor the local release of this film by filmmaker Tony Okun.  It is a story about John 19 and Tony 28 chronicling their efforts to make it to the "Show." This is John's first call up to spring training, for Tony this could be his very last chance.  More information and tickets will be available beginning March 18 at the NW Film Center website, Link below

We are pleased to announce four new grantees. These teams have worked very hard in their communities to strengthen and enhance their programs. It is our pleasure to support these wonderful programs

East Wind Baseball
Is located in east Multnomah County and serves the Corbett Community. Their group is in the process of enhancing their fields for their kids. Significant local funding has been established as no local school or parks support is available at this time. We would like to assist in helping them complete their dugouts.  Grant: $2,500 for dugouts

Jefferson Babe Ruth
Jefferson H.S. Coach Mathew Todd is working tirelessly to restore a once historic program in his community. Jefferson does not field a Varsity Baseball team at this time. With this thought in mind, he is beginning a new Babe Ruth Program in the hopes of extending the playing season for JV team. He hopes this will lead to a Varsity Squad in the next couple of years.   Grant: $500 for balls and equipment

Clatskanie High School Baseball
This teams field has been shared by the high school football team as a practice field in recent years.  It is now the plan to move football to a new venue.  Their field has been greatly damaged and are now looking for assistance to restore it once and for all.  This effort will be accomplished through the volunteer efforts of team and community members  Grant: $1.200 for sod and equipment to restore their fields

Stayton Titans
This group has some exciting and significant plans to restore and upgrade their fields. Much has been completed as they work on their second phase. With no current irrigation in the infield, there have been significant dust issues with local residents. All work will be overseen by their Contractor/Coach and the community of volunteers.  Grant : $1,500 to purchase irrigation plumbing supplies

Friends of Baseball attended this wonderful Clinic this past year at beautiful Goss Field, home of the Knights and OSU Beavers.  Mark your calendars to take your kids and teams to this year's FREE event. Knights coaches and college players from the the Knights will conduct this event!  You will have a blast!

  Mark your calendars:

Date: June 26
Time: 12:30 to 4:00
Attendees Catch batting practice for Knights at 4:15!
Knights Game Time: 6:45

  For details, registration visit:  Corvallis Knights Click Here

N.W. Star Academy / Friends of Baseball Coaches’ Clinic

Presenters to include local expert coaches
January 17^th 2009

12:30 ~5:00

Embassy Suites (Portland Airport)

Preregistration Fee:  $30 total per league affiliation regardless of # of attendees!

For details: Portland Coaches Clinic 

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NEW:  With the success our Portland Coaches’ Clinic has enjoyed the past two years, we’re excited to announce the addition of a second clinic in Eugene co-sponsored by Little League District 9 and FOB!!! 

Little League District 9 / Friend of Baseball Coaches’ Clinic (also for parents & admin.)

Presenter to be Al Herbeck (Al conducts similar clinics throughout U.S and Canada)

Note: This event is NOT Little League specific.  All league affiliations will find value in attending.

February 21^st 2010

Coaching ages 5-6, 8:00~1:00, Coaching ages 7~12, Noon ~ 5:00 (welcome to attend both sessions)

North Eugene High School

Preregistration Fee:  $100 total per league affiliation regardless of # of attendees! 

We hope you will attend one or both of these very valuable coaches’ events.  For more details and registration information, Click Here.

Friend of Baseball is excited to announce four grantees. We are thrilled to act as co-sponsor for the above mentioned Coaching Clinics by granting $1,000 to support each event. Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis has raised over $60,000 to build a new hitting facility. In partnership, FOB is excited help complete their facility with a $2,500 grant. Churchill Baseball in Eugene is has also made amazing progress toward their own hitting facility. FOB enjoys helping communities who muster the local support to reach their dreams, so we are pleased to assist them with a $2,600 grant to bring this project "home."

Santiam Community Baseball has worked with their community to re-develop their baseball fields. This has included work on their concession stand, upgrading of fields and bases, bleachers and dugouts. Through community support and, more importantly, members of their league, they are close to having a field they can be proud of. As Clint Forste (one of their coaches) suggests relating to all these projects, "Our players must have 'skin in the game'." FOB is pleased to help them finish and maintain these fields with a $3,500 grant for field clay and a riding lawn mower.

As recently announced, Friends of Baseball is expanding to include Lane County, Oregon. In a recent meeting with Bob Beban of the Eugene Em's, he has enthusiastically agreed to extend this program to Lane County in 20100. Watch for our announcement this spring with details on how to nominate both a Coach and Volunteer. The leagues for each honoree (one coach and one volunteer) will receive a $1,000 grant that is being shared by the Em's and FOB.

Would you like to find out just a bit more about Friends of Bseball? Then please sign up for our Free Quarterly Newsletter. This will also include future Press Releases Announcing Teams in Critical and Immediate Need! By doing so you might find a way to help or be helped; in addition to our current news, awards and upcoming events and clinics. Take a moment to join our baseball community using the link below; Welcome!

Friends Of Baseball : Mailing List Signup

The Portland Beavers and Friends of Baseball formally introduced their two honorees at PGE Park on July 17th, and we couldn't be more pleased with the selections. Each year two special individuals represent the thousands more who give so much of themselves to the game they love! We'd like to thank all those who submitted nominations and all those who were nominated. Each of and every nominee deserves to be Honored!

2009 Coach of the Year

Bill Grimm has been coaching for Lake Oswego Little League for the past four years. In addition to his success on the field, he has established values and the life long lessons for the players on his teams. We are honored to welcome Bill as a member of this coveted group of coaches.

2009 Volunteer of the Year

Sue Seaver has been active with the Little League Softball World Series for over 15 years and is currently its Tournament Director. Along with running the tournament, Sue finds “host” homes for the wonderful young ladies from around the world who compete. To all the participants, she is simply known as "Mom." We are thrilled to have Sue as our honoree.

The board of Trustees recently announced that FOB will immediately begin accepting grant applications from Lane County. This has been made possible not through additional funding, but from the collective network of partners who now provide resources to our grantees. There have been many cases where FOB funding was no longer required due to the support provided by those who have engaged with us. Please help us spread the word of this news, as this is our greatest challenge in areas where we expand. Lane County let us hear from you!

Now you have access to current events and topics related to Friends of Baseball on Facebook! Simply link to our Facebook page at the top of our website and check it out anytime. If you are a current user of Facebook, simply become one of our fans. If you are not currently using Facebook, it must be time to sign up for our page! In addition to keeping up more regularly with FOB happenings, you can post those of your team or league. Do you have a question or need assistance with your team? Post your question and ask your fellow coaches, parents, etc. Do you have some favorite photos of your team? There's a place to post them. Would you like to assist Friends of Baseball or one of our leagues? Feel free to post or contact us directly. Have an event coming up? Yep, there's even a place for this. We look forward to building upon this new community!

We've been working with the Corvallis Knights Baseball Organization to create a wonderful event on June 27th at beautiful Goss Stadium, home of the Knights and OSU Beavers in Corvallis, Oregon. The day's events include:

12:00 -4:00 P.M. ~ Free Youth baseball clinic with Knights and OSU players!
4:15 ~ Clinic attendees to play catch, shag balls for Knights batting practice
6:30 ~ Game time Knights vs. Moses Lake Pirates
~ ~ After the Game ~ ~
Bring your sleeping bags for a "sleep-over" at Goss Stadium!
(We'll have a movie on the outfield screen and hot cakes and juice for breakfast)

Come join us for a great afternoon/evening of baseball. FOB will also introduce two recent grantees at a field level ceremony. Stop by and say "Hi" to some of our Board Members.

As referenced, the Clinic is free. Game tickets are $5 and $8, Campers $10 including game! For more information call 503-752-5656 or visit www.corvallisknights.com (Campers must have signed liability release to participate)

With the assistance of many of you and FOB, Silverton JBO has not only completed funding but also rebuilt their storage/ public address facility after a devastating fire. The truly amazing aspect of this undertaking was that it was all accomplished in one month! We’d like to thank all of the many individuals, organizations and corporations who came running to provide assistance. Truly, we were overwhelmed with participation, and even needed to step away from duplicate offers of assistance. There just aren't words to properly express appreciation for all your help!

Lebanon Boys and Girls Club

This is a wonderful group residing in Lebanon, Oregon that has succeeded in raising significant funding in order to upgrade their fields. We are pleased to partner in their efforts by providing funding for their dugouts and for scholarships.
Grant: $2000

Powell Little League/ Central Catholic High School

As is the case for many leagues in our region, playing venues have become expensive and more difficult to use in recent years. These teams are looking to upgrade a local field.
Grant: Matching grant of $1500 for field soil mix.

Santiam Wildcats Baseball

This team is also making an effort to improve their fields.
Grant: $1,700 to complete fencing and repair backstop.

Mt. Hood Junior Baseball

MHJB was told that they must reduce their field usage by one-half this year as compared to previous years to allow for use by a new league. This very resourceful group has already secured a field behind a local church that was previously used for pick-up games.
Grant: $5000 for a new backstop.

Special Olympics of Oregon

FOB has chosen to help this wonderful group and their softball program again this year. Grant: of $1,360 for 24 dozen softballs.

Sandy Junior Baseball

Field maintenance issues have challenged many leagues in our area. This team would like to bring greater safety to their fields by adding a new soil treatment mix.
Grant: $2,500.

Reynolds Baseball

Through donations and the hard work of their volunteers, Reynolds has secured $30,000 in funding to build a hitting facility for their school. Other schools have required $150,000 or more to build such a structure.
Grant: $3,600 for the purchase of netting to complete this project.

After nearly two years of dreaming a dream, this league dedicated their field at Fernwood Field at Beverly Cleary Middle School in N.E. Portland. This hard working and tenacious group of volunteers overcame many obstacles in completing this vision. With the help of Major League Baseball, Nike, The Portland Beavers, Friends of Baseball and many others, this beautiful field is now complete. We wish to share our appreciation for their amazing accomplishment!

We are very excited to announce that the Salem~Keizer Volcanoes have joined with the Portland Beaver and Friends of Baseball to honor the tireless efforts of our region's Coaches and Volunteers in 2009. This is our third year for this celebration that will now be expanded to four additional counties in Oregon. Yes, there will be four new members in this exclusive club of Honorees; two with each organization! We truly believe there are hundreds of individuals in our region who qualify and should be acknowledged for their dedication. This year's nominations will be accepted from the following counties: Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Marion, Benton, Linn and Polk Counties in Oregon, and Clark County in Washington. Nominations will be accepted from this date until June 30, 2009. Coach and Volunteer honorees, and finalists, will be announced and introduced to the community at on-field celebrations at PGE Park and Volcanoes Stadium in July. Each of the four honorees will receive a check for $1,000 from FOB/Portland Beavers and FOB/Salem~Keizer Volcanoes for team necessities and equipment. Let us hear from you about all the deserving individuals who have helped your team or league this year!

Click to access criteria information relating to this program.

Could it be possible to raise funding for equipment and have fun in the process; You Bet! It is as simple as playing a few fun and challenging online games. Pledge Play and Sports Supply Group have teamed up with Friends of Baseball to help us purchase equipment where the needs are greatest in our region. With this challenged economy there are many teams facing significant funding shortages. Simply purchase a few tokens and play a few games. 100% of your pledge will be converted to equipment for our kids! Register on the "Play Link" and the first game is Free. Our goal is to raise $10,000 in equipment between now and February 15th. This is where we need your help! Simply go to the FOB Pledge Play site at:

You can visit PledgePlay by clicking here OR by clicking on the PledgePlay logo in the lower right of the page.

Each game has its own point system that allows you to post and monitor the standings of your score. In this way you have a way to compete with new and old friends while helping a wonderful cause; check your scores often! Winners of each game will receive FOB monogrammed apparel items at the end of the this event. Additionally, the individual who provides the most referrals in game token purchases will receive a "Believe in Yourself" print and a monogrammed hooded sweat shirt and cap. I hope you will enjoy this fun and creative new way of "giving back" to the wonderful sport we all love and share.

With the success of the 2008 Coaches' Clinic in January our board has recently enthusiastically authorized our sponsoring the 2009 Coaches' Clinic along with N.W. Star Academy. This was a wonderful event and one for which we received very positive responses. Look for even more exciting enhancements in 2009!!

Date: January 11, 2009
Location: Embassy Suites, Portland Airport
Time: 1:00 PM (registration all morning) to 5:00 PM
Who Can Attend: All youth baseball/softball coaches regardless of team location!


Jerry Gatto of N.W. Star Academy will once again host this year's event. We are very excited about the 2009 Clinic and have implemented many of the suggestions received at the 2008 Clinic. The day's agenda includes:
Kevin Walker of Sellwood Little League, Don Freeman of Heritage H.S., Rip Ramsey and Seattle Mariner Scout and Korey Kier of Columbia H.S. This year we have also made time for interactive demonstration drills to maximize your practices.
A small participation fee has been established this year in order to provide refreshments and a few extras. We are very sensitive to these costs, with FOB's sponsorship keeping them to a minimum. The fee of $30 per league covers the cost of all attendees from your organization. Last year many groups sent six or more, which makes the fee very reasonable. If this cost causes a hardship for your league's attendance, please contact us using the links below!
We ask that you begin registering your group’s attendance at once - we have a good amount of seating available but this, too, has its limits. The registration fee will be collected upon sign in the day of the event. To register, please send the following information:
Contact information
Name of League
Name of Attendees w/ email address
Send your registration to either: info@friendsofbaseball.org or
jtaylor@nwstar.net
Your registration will be then confirmed by email.

In addition to our grant for this year's Coaches Clinic, we are very pleased to announce this term's grants to three very deserving organizations:

North Salem High School Baseball
North Salem H.S. has been challenged like many districts throughout our state. The coach of this team has consistently reached out to the youth leagues in the area to provide instruction and support. We are very pleased to be able to assist in their program.
Grant: $3,245 for an Iron Mike Pitching Machine

North Clackamas Boosters
This organization has seen many of their baseball/softball fields developed for housing in recent years. Clearly, they no longer have the fields necessary to meet the needs of their program. Their solution is to add lighting on their high school fields, providing nearly double the potential field time in spring and summer.
Grant: $3,500 pledge grant towards field lighting

Sublimity Raptors, Junior Baseball of Oregon
This is a new team being developed by Craig A. Heuberger in Sublimity Oregon. He is working very hard to secure a field, coordinate volunteers and secure proper equipment. We are thrilled with his efforts and wish to assist in his vision!
Grant: $2,000 team building pledge grant once team facilities finalized

Periodically, our board determines a significant need that we just simply do not have the contacts and or resources to fulfill. When this occurs it requires us to individually invest in meeting these needs. I have decided to put the question to all of you: Do you have a contact who shares our passion that might be able to assist FOB?

We are currently looking for professionals in two areas of expertise . . .
We are looking for an attorney who would be willing to assist us with our 501c3 non profit participation. This is certainly over my head and we would, as always, be very sensitive to this individual's time investment (and amazingly appreciative, too). This opportunity would break ground in our ability to further expand the regions we serve through Friends of Baseball. If you know of an individual, or are that individual, please contact: Keenan@Friendsofbaseball.org Lunch is on me!

Also, maintenance of our website can be expensive. We would like to find an individual(s) who have the expertise to update, maintain and upgrade our site. All text would be provided, but we could sure use some limited help in keeping this site current. Any individuals come to mind? Simply ask them to contact me at the address above! Once again, lunch is on me.

Our Trustees are pleased to announce that you will be able to apply for a FOB grant online! We understand that the thought of writing a grant request can seem difficult and cumbersome. As I have suggested for years: "We are not professional grant readers; and we know that many of you are not professional grant writers!"

Now this process will become much easier. Simply follow the links from the Grants page found on this website. This online form will walk you through the process with ease. Our collective goal is to reach out to all those teams where the need is the greatest and to make the process as simple as possible. Please spread the word!

Our trustees often hear from out leagues and teams of very specific needs for their organizations. With the many contacts and supporters we have developed we make every effort to assist them. Why not formalize and expand upon this process from our website. Yes we have now done just that. As all of us begin preparation and planning for the 2009 season we invite you to register and monitor and actively post on this site. We also hope and encourage providers to post goods and services that might be useful to our teams. It is never too soon to "give back". This service is available for all leagues and teams in our region.

Barlow Baseball as you might guess gets hit hard with the gorge winds early spring rains. I know many, many of our teams can very personally relate. Their coach who works closely with Little League, JBO and ASA Softball will be moving these many wet practices indoors 2009 in the hopes to be better prepared for their season. Grant approval $2584 for netting.

The Oregon City Black Sox are a team devoted to local player development during the summer. Having developed a strong program it is now time to replace the pitching mounds that have seen many thousands of pitches in their 15 year life plan. Friends of Baseball wishes to reward and partner in their fund raising for three new portable pitching mounds. Grant approval $950.

We are very pleased to announce that six new organizations have joined in partnering with FOB. Yes, we consider our grantees partners, as funding alone can never fulfill the needs of our youth baseball and softball communities. Our goal is always to leverage our funding to fully maximize its potential with these organizations in support of our shared vision. Congratulations to each of these organizations for showing our Trustees their resolve in meeting their leagues potential!

• Special Olympics of Oregon — $3,000 for softball equipment
• Amity High School Baseball — $4,390 field upgrades
• Tillamook High School — $5,000 Challenge Grant for hitting facility
• Mt. Hood Junior Baseball — $2,500 Challenge Grant for fields & tractor
• Gresham High School — $2,000 Challenge Grant to assist with hitting facility

The Portland Beavers in partnership with FOB are very pleased to announce this year’s coveted honorees for Coach and Volunteer of the year! Our two organizations wish to honor all of the selfless individuals who sacrifice much of their spring and summer to bring our game and our kids to fields throughout our region. Each and every one of you deserves this honor.

We needed to find two individuals to represent all of your efforts in 2008. Clearly this is one of the most difficult decisions our two organizations must wrap our arms around!

2008 Volunteer of the Year

Todd Sonflieth ~ Putnam Youth Baseball Organization

2008 Coach of the Year

Brian Yates ~ David Douglas Youth Baseball

Todd, Brian and all of our finalists will be honored on the field at PGE Park at Beaver games May 31st and June 1st

• Clatskanie Little League ~ $5,000 for field recovery
• Vernonia Youth Baseball ~ $2500 in scholarships to families suffering loss
• Forest Grove High School ~ $2,564 netting for batting facility
• Redlands Baseball and Softball ~ $1,898 for storage facility
• Forest Grove Junior Baseball ~ $2,000 funding for infield dirt

Coach of the Year Finalists

The 2007 Coach of the Year Selection:

Ron Wold, Beaverton JBO & Junior Little League

Ron has been coaching for over ten years in both the Little League and Junior Baseball of Oregon organizations. Ron is known far and wide and the "yes man" whenever an opportunity or challenge may arise. In 2002, he was awarded the Umpire's Sportsmanship Award in a post season tournament. By leading by example both on and off the field Ron exemplifies the spirit and vision of FOB.

Volunteer of the Year Finalists

The 2007 Volunteer of the Year Selection:

Kevin and Kellie Walker, Sellwood Jr. Baseball

This husband wife team has been a true inspiration to Sellwood Baseball. Their collective efforts include: coaching and coaches' training, field maintenance, administration, communications, community relations, and youth recruitment. Their personal touches are endless. . . . with a motto that suggests "We are not teaching baseball skills, we are teaching life skills, It's all about community!"