Minnesota Twins Community Fund Announces 2008 Grant, Community Outreach Programs

Three new members added to Twins Community Fund board of directors

01/21/2008, MINNEAPOLIS - ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Twins Community Fund today announced its 2008 grant and community support programs. In 2008, the Twins Community Fund will distribute approximately $600,000 to promote and improve youth baseball, softball and education in the Upper Midwest, southwest Florida and Latin America.

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The Twins Community Fund will operate the grant and community outreach programs listed below in 2008. Please visit online for program guidelines, printable grant/scholarship applications and additional information.

Grant/Scholarship Applications
• Fields for Kids - Help to renovate or construct youth baseball and softball fields throughout the Upper Midwest, Southwest Florida and Latin America.

• Tournament Grants - Support Upper Midwest regional and national youth baseball and softball tournaments.

• Youth Baseball/Softball Camp Scholarships - Provide economically-disadvantaged youth the opportunity to attend baseball/softball instructional camps, including Minnesota Twins Baseball and Softball Training Camps.

Recreational Programs
• Play Ball! Minnesota Youth Clinics Presented by the Minnesota Twins Community Fund - Designed to teach basic fundamentals including hitting, fielding and throwing, while also providing participants with positive messages about staying in school and away from drugs and alcohol. No registration is required to participate in a clinic, and applications to host a clinic between April and August 2008 are being accepted now.

• Rookie League and Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) - The Twins Community Fund provides funding to the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul to assist in the organization and execution of summer youth baseball and softball programs.

• RBI Academy - Provides advanced baseball and softball skills training for RBI participants.

• RBI Central Regional Tournament to be held in Minneapolis and St. Paul in July 2008, and host more than 400 RBI participants from across the Midwest, including three Twins RBI All-Star teams.

Educational Programs
• Diamonds and Dreams Scholarships - Provides $1,000 scholarships to Upper Midwest and Southwest Florida high school seniors in their pursuit of post-secondary education.

Recognition Programs
• Carl R. Pohlad Award - Recognizes the outstanding community involvement and on-field performance of a current Twins player each season.

• Kirby Puckett Award - Recognizes a Twins alumni player or coach who best exemplifies Kirby's legacy of community service and involvement.

Ticket Donation Program
• TwinsCare - Donates Twins home game tickets to economically-disadvantaged families and youth. (Visit 612-33-TWINS/800-33-TWINS for more information or a ticket donation application.)

The Twins Community Fund was established in 1991 with the mission to enrich local and regional communities by providing resources for the healthy development of children and families through an association with baseball, softball and the Minnesota Twins. The MTCF is governed by a community board of directors. New members in 2008 include Becky Crain (Minnesota Twins), Elliot Jaffee (U.S. Bank) and Gene Larkin (New Era Financial/Minnesota Twins). For a complete list of the Twins Community Fund's 2008 board of directors, visit Twinsbaseball.com/community.

Together, the Minnesota Twins and the Twins Community Fund will distribute more than $3 million in support in 2008. The Twins Community Fund is supported financially by the Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation, the Minnesota Twins, various corporate partners and you, the fans. The Twins Community Fund also raises support via a variety of fundraising initiatives including TwinsFest (January 25-27, 2008), Twins Welcome Home Luncheon (April 4, 2008), Autograph Party (June 21, 2008) in-stadium auctions of sports memorabilia. For more information or to make a contribution, visit the team's official Web site at www.twinsbaseball.com/community or call (612) 33-TWINS/800-33-TWINS.

Source: MLB