Southwest Detroit Youth Baseball Receives Donation, Equipment

By admin - Posted on September 26th, 2007

"Gloves For Kids" campaign helps more than 400 baseball & softball players

09/25/2007, DETROIT -- A season-long campaign to collect new and gently used baseball and softball equipment, and cash donations, culminated on Tuesday night at Comerica Park to benefit Southwest Detroit Youth Baseball.

The "Gloves for Kids" campaign, which was sponsored by CBS Radio, ABC Warehouse, Delphi, XM Radio, the Oakland Press, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund and the Detroit Tigers Foundation, collected more than 1,000 pieces of baseball and softball equipment. In a pre-game ceremony prior to the game between the Tigers and the Minnesota Twins, cash donations of $5,100 from Tigers fans were presented to the league by the Detroit Tigers Foundation, in addition to a $5,000 grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund.

"We're excited that this year's Gloves for Kids program benefited one of the fastest growing areas in baseball, Southwest Detroit," said Tigers Vice President, Community & Public Affairs, Elaine Lewis. "Gloves for Kids was a team effort and by working together with the Southwest Detroit Business Association, the coaches and players, I believe we have made a difference."

All of the equipment was donated to the six leagues of Southwest Detroit, which will help to outfit and equip more than 400 youth baseball and softball players.

Equipment drives were held during the season at Comerica Park and various ABC Warehouse locations in the metro Detroit area. Fans were able to receive an autograph from a Tigers player in exchange for a donation of baseball or softball equipment or a cash donation at the ABC Warehouse events. Tigers players that participated in the effort included Jason Grilli, Omar Infante, Fernando Rodney, Mike Rabelo, Macay McBride and Ryan Raburn.

"I would also like to thank all of the fans that took the time to make a contribution to a Southwest Detroit Little League player," Lewis added. "All of the funds and equipment will be used to enhance the game of baseball in one of our most thriving baseball communities in the Detroit Metro area."

Source: MLB

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