Friends of Baseball was founded in 2005 by a father, son and Board of Trustees driven by their passion to give back in the form of grants and resources to the community of youth baseball and softball that they love. Friends of Baseball currently provides league-sustaining funding and equipment to youth organizations that are underserved and that exhibit compelling need. FOB's focus is specifically dedicated to the enrichment of youth, parents and their relationship through baseball and softball. Youth baseball has been faced with many inherent challenges, including loss of playing venues, diminished resources and facilitating the logistics of preparing for "the game." The needs exceed the resources.

Seed funding has been endowed by FOB's founders because of their desire to create a "safety net" for leagues who find their programs unable to continue and or meet their potential. These funds, along with the generous support of those who share our vision - "our partner providers" - have allowed us to provide grant funding beginning in N.W. Oregon. We are now seeking opportunities through additional contributions and funding to build on our "footprint" by expanding our impact throughout Oregon.


Friends of Baseball began nearly 30 years ago. Our founders, Keenan and Ben Longcor, share a lifelong love of baseball that strengthened the bond between them. Through youth baseball, Ben and Keenan were able to spend time together, talk to each other, and reflect together on the life lessons that baseball has to offer us all. Friends of Baseball grew out of a passion for this sport, and the relationship between a father and son.

Whether through something in youth baseball, or in sharing the excitement of a major league game, the years brought Keenan and Ben dozens of trips to ballparks in the Pacific Northwest and around the United States. They created memories, shared victory and loss, and had the opportunity to learn values, sportsmanship and a mutual understanding found in the simplicity of a time-tested game of integrity.

Many years later, it is time to give back to the sport and community that helped to create these lifelong memories ... and for them to begin again. The founding hope is that through Friends of Baseball, other parents and children will kindle a similar bond found in a shared passion, vision, communication, inspiration, and through common understanding.

Want to find out more? Check out our Vision Statement.