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DEMAND FOR FRIENDS OF BASEBALL
PROGRAMS HIGHEST EVER Register today and join Friends of Baseball for a memorable night dedicated to celebrating our collective love of baseball, softball, and helping youth in our community swing for the fences - on the field and in life. 2021 SWING FOR THE FENCES GALA Thursday, September 23, 2021 A Virtual Interactive Gala Experience 6:30 pm Pre-Game Festivities presented by Portland Diamond Project 7:00 pm First Pitch View Sponsor Opportunities
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HELP US BRING FULL COUNT BACK TO SCHOOL THIS FALL
As we started 2020, our organization was in our strongest position ever. And just like any well thought game plan, 2020 brought a series of challenges that dramatically changed the landscape of our work.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, over 1000 youth at 15 different site are missing the chance to experience the life lessons from our after school and summer programs — but we know that this is just a small piece of how youth in our communities are being impacted.
The pandemic happening at the same time as a renewed fight for social justice has swept across our nation underscores the importance of our work to prioritize resources and programming for youth of color in our community. For Black youth in particular, lack of access can be visibly seen on baseball and softball diamonds across our region despite Black ballplayers’ long legacy of significant and historic contributions to the game. Additionally, 2020 is the centennial of Negro League Baseball, making this work a moral imperative with Black players making up only 8% of Major League Baseball rosters..
This is why this year’s Swing for the Fences gala is more important than ever.
Our annual event is our largest source of funding for our after school and summer programs. Your ongoing investment in our work will allow us to return to Fall programs — modified to support current health and safety requirements — to support youth in our community.
Join us virtually from your "home field" of your sandlot memories to support the dreams of youth in our community to keep swinging for the fences on the field and in life. To sponsor our interactive event View sponsor packet or reserve your free tickets to our Virtual Gala starting July 21st.
Email Nova Newcomer at nova@friendsofbaseball.org for more information on sponsorship opportunities
As we started 2020, our organization was in our strongest position ever. And just like any well thought game plan, 2020 brought a series of challenges that dramatically changed the landscape of our work.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, over 1000 youth at 15 different site are missing the chance to experience the life lessons from our after school and summer programs — but we know that this is just a small piece of how youth in our communities are being impacted.
The pandemic happening at the same time as a renewed fight for social justice has swept across our nation underscores the importance of our work to prioritize resources and programming for youth of color in our community. For Black youth in particular, lack of access can be visibly seen on baseball and softball diamonds across our region despite Black ballplayers’ long legacy of significant and historic contributions to the game. Additionally, 2020 is the centennial of Negro League Baseball, making this work a moral imperative with Black players making up only 8% of Major League Baseball rosters..
This is why this year’s Swing for the Fences gala is more important than ever.
Our annual event is our largest source of funding for our after school and summer programs. Your ongoing investment in our work will allow us to return to Fall programs — modified to support current health and safety requirements — to support youth in our community.
Join us virtually from your "home field" of your sandlot memories to support the dreams of youth in our community to keep swinging for the fences on the field and in life. To sponsor our interactive event View sponsor packet or reserve your free tickets to our Virtual Gala starting July 21st.
Email Nova Newcomer at nova@friendsofbaseball.org for more information on sponsorship opportunities
2020 Swing for the Fences Video Recap
Watch a fun recap of last year's evening below and photos from our 2019 event below.
