On April 21st there was a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration for this beautiful new facility. Having attended this event, our Trustees were able to tour the facilities and meet some of the leaders who brought life to this vision. This cloverleaf style, four field venue is truly outstanding! Due to its use for both softball and baseball, there was a need for portable pitching mounds for use during the baseball season. Our trustees are pleased to provide a grand of $4,840 for pitching mounds to assist with the final touches in completing this wonderful facility for youth baseball and softball.

The Corbett region has been hit hard by district funding reductions. Their Booster Club has been fund raising to cover the annual budget for youth sports in their community. While this task is nearly completed, there was not enough funding available to purchase the needed field grading equipment. FOB has pledged $1800 to assist in purchasing this equipment.

GHS realized that their field's protective netting had been seriously compromised by this winter's ice storm. Because the field is situated close to the street, the netting is essential equipment to protect both fans and street traffic. FOB has pledged $250 toward the purchase of new netting.

This is the first year at the 11-12 year-old level for this Salem team, and it came to our attention that they needed some help to cover the costs of getting up and running. With significant investment required to purchase two sets of catcher's gear, balls and batting helmets, the Titans were relying on older equipment that often didn't fit properly. With the timing of FOB's quarterly granting cycles, it wasn't possible to assist the team this season. We began to spread the word of their need with some of our partners. I am pleased to announce that the board of one of our league partners has purchased all of the above equipment to assist this team in getting off the ground! Congratulations to West Salem, and a HUGE thank you to those who, without asking for recognition, stepped up to help out a team in need!

Liberty High School has raised over $18,000 to install dugouts and a concession stand for their softball fields. Thousands of girls use these fields during the spring and summer. Bob Hoggard was an essential link for this project, providing essential funding as needed to bring the project to life. Friends of Baseball will be funding the final phase of this project to insure its completion. The final amount of this grant will be determined upon review of all final costs.

WLL celebrated its 50th anniversary just over two years ago. Recent years have not been kind to this North Portland youth baseball organization. Under the guidance of President Donna McKeown, WLL is regaining financial stability and its rightful leadership role in youth baseball. A $722 grant for concession equipment has been made to assist in the future sustainability of their organization.

Peninsula Little League, whose boundaries are located within North/ Northeast Portland, is proud of its 53-year commitment to youth baseball. They currently offer team baseball opportunities to over two hundred children each year. Through the Urban Initiative program, and a grant from the Hilton Foundation, this league received a grant of $200,000 for field development. To assist in providing sustainability for this league, Friends of Baseball has offered Peninsula a grant to purchase a popcorn and snow cone machine for their concession area.

Article: Portland Observer

This softball league was formed in 2001 by dedicated volunteers from a number of leagues located in North and Northeast Portland who wanted to create an opportunity for young women to further develop their softball skills. The team has enjoyed year after year of successful seasons, and will represent Oregon at the State Games of America this August in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Friends of Baseball has granted this deserving organization $500 in tournament costs and $1,000 in equipment for their team.

American Legion Baseball has a storied history of promoting youth baseball throughout Oregon and the Northwest. A team from our state will represent Oregon at the regional tournament in Anchorage, Alaska this August. Due to the distance, and the dedication that the American Legion has shared for decades, Friends of Baseball has granted this organization $1,000 to assist in this year's tournament participation.

In a recent meeting with the Pacific Coast League’s Portland Beavers, a $1000 check was presented to FOB to help expand their vision. These funds were granted to our organization by both the Beavers and their major league affiliate, the San Diego Padres. We are incredibly thankful for this commitment and their confidence in the work of FOB. As is true with all donations, 100% of the funds will find their way to youth baseball in our community. This would seem to be just the start of a strong working relationship between our three organizations. Promotional options are in full discussion with many possibilities on the table. Stay tuned. . . .

This Junior Baseball of Oregon group fields over thirty youth baseball teams serving 400 ball players. For this organization and its volunteers, youth baseball serves the community of Milwaukie all year. Having established winter clinics for both players and coaches, the season never truly ends. Board Member Mark Webster believes that, "All you need is a bat, ball and glove, and someone who cares to save a life. This grant will help to develop positive sportsmanship and help educate coaches in a healthy competitive spirit as it applies to kids." Grant: $1,200 to fund certification for their coaches and to assist in the purchase of a batting machine.

Gresham High School Coach Chad Waples has been fundraising to provide a sheltered batting/ pitching facility, not only for their school, but also for the local youth baseball organizations in Gresham. This effort has inspired an entire community. Chad said, "This grant will give us the opportunity to build something that will impact our entire community." Grant: A pledge of $3,000 toward construction of this facility.

This Salem High School had a dream. While many other teams look forward to attending Spring Break tournaments, McKay has never been able to secure the funding to participate. Coach Greg LaFountaine was determined to schedule this trip for spring 2007. "The chance to go on this trip and enjoy baseball is a great eye-opening event for our kids," he stated. Grant: $500 to assist those kids who might not otherwise be able to attend.

With 167 girls and 14 teams, The Wildcats of Canby have built quite a reputation locally and now nationally. Having qualified for Nationals in Indiana this past summer, the question became: But can they afford to win? With coaches securing a person loan, this team and their coaches decided to collectively put it all on the line to find out. Grant: $500 to assist those players most deserving in their community.

In association with Junior Baseball of Oregon, Cliff Munson founded the North Salem Vikings four years ago. As the first member of Junior Baseball in Salem, Cliff and his team have had to play teams in districts south of Salem. Cliff has since assisted in the development of two additional teams now located in Salem. FOB is very pleased to assist the North Salem Vikings with new uniforms for the 2007 season.

Willie Lee Grant, a long-time youth baseball assistant, has dreamed of creating a late summer – early fall league to encourage youth participation in baseball at the end of the traditional leagues’ season. His dream has recently been brought to reality in his Northeast Portland Woodlawn neighborhood. While development of the league is still very early in the process, there is no lack of resolve or commitment. FOB is providing scholarships for players who might not otherwise be able to participate.

The board of directors of Rockwood Junior Baseball today announced the re-naming of their main field. This beautiful field surrounded by fifty foot fir trees will now be called "Friends of Baseball Field." Luciana Fisher, Rockwood Junior Baseball President, expressed their appreciation for the vision of Friends of Baseball and wanted to honor this by re-naming their #1 field. Keenan Longcor, Sally Longcor and Katie Bethell, all FOB Trustees, were in attendance and were honored to accept this gesture from the league.

The "Friends of Baseball Field" is located in Portland on N.E. 172nd just south of Glisan.

The North County Recreation District 2006 summer baseball season got off to a flying start a week ago Saturday thanks in part to a $2,500 grant the district received from Friends of Baseball, a Portland-based organization governed by a six-person board of trustees.
Read the whole article...

In a new program to assist our grantees, FOB is pleased to announce that a list of volunteers is being developed to assist teams in the restoration and improvement projects planned for their fields. While these grantees often have a group of volunteers, there is significant need for individuals to devote a day or so on occasion to get the fields in shape, paint a bench or turn a wrench. We at FOB have begun to realize that there are significant numbers of individuals who were formerly very active in youth baseball through a son or daughter, friend or acquaintance, who have lost their connection to baseball. Often these individuals come to miss these times, and simply need a "reason" to come back to the baseball diamond. To be notified of future volunteer events, please email our trustees via the contacts link on this site. Should you have an interest in volunteering in another area related to youth baseball (donating equipment, printing, etc.), please also contact us.

Dear Friends of Baseball Trustees,
We have had some serious work parties the last two days. I wish I had taken some pictures... but anyway, quite a few dads, coaches, Board Members and kids were out at Lakeside the last two days priming and painting the new bleacher boards. Today, Steve Pelligrini, his brother, and my husband replaced the boards on field #2, and Michael Dull and his son replaced the pump house roof that had been vandalized. Jeff Lay and John Falbo weed whacked and hacked back black berries; 2 Board Members from Hollywood Little League pitched in for a while today as well! I just wanted to tell you that the boards are completely painted, and field #2 looks like it has a new suit on with fresh bleacher boards and a weed barrier beneath the bleachers.

Thank you for what you do.
Sincerely,
Russelle Adams
President, Lakeside Little League

Article: The Daily Astorian

Article: Portland Business Journal

Friends of Baseball (FOB) announced today they have awarded grants to five youth baseball organizations throughout northwest Oregon. 

“The FOB Trustees and I are very pleased to reach this first step in our commitment to youth, parents and their relationship through baseball,” reported Keenan Longcor, FOB founder.  “Our first grants respond to the spirit of the communities working together to make it possible for kids to enjoy the sport when confronted with significant financial challenges.” 

Oregon Sports Authority is a critical link and partner in this granting process.  “These five inaugural grants from the Friends of Baseball advised fund of Oregon Sports Authority Foundation will make a critical impact on baseball in northwest Oregon by supporting hundreds of deserving youngsters and their families,” said Drew Mahalic, CEO Oregon Sports Authority

Friends of Baseball will continue to respond to organizations in their targeted region who have the vision and the community support to not only dream, but also to bring their dreams to reality.

Grant Summary
Rockwood Junior Baseball
This league has overcome significant financial hardships, including the embezzlement of funds by a former league president.  Through it all, their community rose above the challenges to insure their teams could continue to play and compete.  Grant: $3,900 for a utility vehicle to assist volunteers in managing and maintaining their five playing fields.

 

Astoria High School and Junior State Baseball
Inspired by Dave Gasser, one of the most winning coaches in state baseball history, this community has rallied to revitalize their baseball, from Little League through high school. Dave has been able to enlist dozens of individuals and organizations to contribute their services and equipment in order to restore baseball tradition in their region. Grant: $3,300 for additional equipment to include a batting cage, screens and protective mats.

 

Lakeside Little League
This Northeast Portland league in the Cully neighborhood is celebrating 54 years of youth through baseball. In recent months their fields have been heavily vandalized, and all their electrical systems destroyed. Once again, this league has persevered through the commitment of parents and volunteers in the community. Grant: $2,400 will provide materials to restore a vandalized storage shed, rotted bleachers and refurbish the field scoreboard.

 

Montavilla Little League
One of the smallest little leagues in the region, this group has been challenged by funding and support from their inherent limitations in size.  Their goal is to build youth and parent participation so that they can truly compete with other leagues in their district. Grant: $750 to support a community wide dinner and celebration of their commitment to youth baseball.

 

North County Recreation District
This organization in Tillamook County has a rich history in baseball. Often it requires parents to drive children 25 miles or more just to get to practice or a game.  This financially challenged region needs basic equipment in order to play the game of baseball. Grant: $2,500 for bats, baseballs, mitts and a hitting machine.