North High School Receives Grant from Baseball Tomorrow Fund

DES MOINES, IA (July 22, 2014) – The Des Moines Independent Community School District announced today that North High School has been awarded a grant in the amount of $16,250 from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF).  The grant will support the renovation of the North High School baseball field and provide funding for an irrigation system and the grading and re-sodding of the infield.

North High School aims to build a comprehensive, community-focused baseball program that spans from little league to high school.  Unfortunately, North’s baseball program suffered a major setback in 2008 when a devastating flood ravaged the school’s baseball field.  The field was left in an impaired state that is inadequate for practices and games.  With funds from BTF, North will install an irrigation system, and remove, grade, and re-sod the infield and apron to remove hazardous lips.  This will provide a safe, high quality baseball facility that aligns the Highland Park Little League program with the North baseball program, serving youth from ages 9 to 18.  The proposed project will yield a high return on investment by preparing youth for high school baseball, increasing North High’s baseball program participation and retention rates, and strengthening community partnerships.  Field renovations will begin in the summer of 2014.

“On behalf of everyone who has contributed to our efforts to improve our baseball field, we are grateful and very excited to have been selected as one of the Baseball Tomorrow Fund’s grant recipients,” said Brian Tate, North’s Athletic Director.  “This project will provide the proper irrigation, re-grading, and re-sodding of the baseball field that is critical to players’ safety, efficiency of operations, and healthy turf, which enhances community spirit and team pride among the players and the school.”

“The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is thrilled to support the renovation project at North High School,” said Cathy Bradley, Executive Director of the BTF.  “The renovation of this field will provide safe playing facilities to players of all ages, support the expansion of a strong high school program and continue to grow the game of baseball in this community.”

Other major supporters of the project include the Des Moines Independent Community School District, North High School, and the North baseball team through fundraisers. The North baseball program is still accepting in-kind and monetary contributions for bullpens and a warning track extension. Those interested in donating to the project may contact Tate at (515) 242-7213.

About the Baseball Tomorrow Fund

The Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) is a joint initiative between the Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League Baseball designed to promote the growth of youth baseball and softball throughout the world by awarding grants to support field renovation and construction projects, equipment and uniform purchases, coach training material and other selected program expenses. Since its formation by the MLBPA and MLB in 1999, BTF has awarded approximately 770 grants totaling more than $26 million to non-profit and tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia. More than 330,000 youth players have benefited from programs and facilities supported by the fund. BTF also facilitates initiatives including the collection and distribution of new and gently used equipment to organizations in need as well as field maintenance education clinics.  For more information, visit www.baseballtomorrowfund.com and follow the Baseball Tomorrow Fund on Facebook, Twitter and MLBlogs.