KeyBank in partnership with the Cleveland Indians collected new and gently used gloves throughout the 2012 season to benefit the Cleveland Baseball Federation. Thanks to our fans, we were able to collect over 800 gloves this year through the KeyBank Glove Drive!
Cleveland Indians Charities (CIC) and the Cleveland Baseball Federation (CBF) partnership continue its efforts to grow youth baseball and softball in the Cleveland area. Through this partnership, CBF has streamlined the RBI and Rookie Program to maximize youth participation, make the best use of grant proceeds and most importantly, provide youth with a positive team-oriented activity to keep them off the streets and challenge them academically and physically. Each year, the Indians help provide funding for summer baseball and softball programs for Cleveland's youth. Additionally, these children are required to attend educational seminars that stress positive social interaction, health issues and the importance of staying in school. Over 4,000 boys and girls participate in RBI and Rookie League each year.
Cleveland Indians Charities (CIC) has donated over $1.7 million to operate baseball and softball programs throughout the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. CIC continues to supply the necessary funds to assure the continuation of the district's 12 high school baseball and softball programs.
Each year, this partnership reaches over 700 high school boys and girls who play baseball and softball in Cleveland schools. A highlight of the season is the Senate League Baseball Championship game hosted at Progressive Field.
Cleveland Indians Charities (CIC) continues its $50,000 youth baseball and softball grant program each year. The Baseball Diamond Improvement Grant benefits Northeast Ohio leagues in need of new bleachers, backstops, fences and other equipment. The goal of the program is to assist league funding, programming and renovation of playing fields.
PLAY (Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth) is a public awareness campaign of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS), in conjunction with the Taylor Hooton Foundation and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, to encourage kids to live healthy lifestyles. Each year, the Cleveland Indians invite kids to Progressive Field for this once-in-a-lifetime free clinic. With assistance from Head Athletic Trainer Lonnie Soloff and Tribe Assistant Athletic Trainer Jeff Desjardins, kids learn the dangers of steroids, injury prevention and taking care of their bodies. In addition, kids have the opportunity to hit in the batting cages and exercise in the Indians weight room with Indians players and staff.
Progressive Field plays host to the Aquafina Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run (PHR) each year. This MLB initiative provides a series of competitive events that test the ability for kids to pitch, hit, and run. This "Official Youth Skills Competition of Major League Baseball" reaches more than 600,000 boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 14 each year. PHR includes more than 3,500 local competitions, providing youth across North America with an integrated competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball skills. The top four competitors nationwide from each division advance to the Major League Baseball All-Star Week for the national finals. Each summer, 16 youth baseball players from Northeast Ohio compete in the local finals held at Progressive Field.
Indians players host this Major League Baseball Players Trust "Buses for Baseball" event each year at Progressive Field. Courtesy of the player's charitable foundation, 50 members from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cleveland met Indians players before attending that evening's game.
Players sign autographs, pose for pictures and take part in an interesting Q&A session with the children.
Playing at Progressive Field is a dream for many children across Northeast Ohio. The Northeast Ohio Baseball Coaches Association (NEOBCA) All-Star games are an opportunity for the Cleveland Indians to provide this dream.
Progressive Field hosts the 2012 Northeast Ohio Baseball Coaches Association (NEOBCA) All-Star Games on Tuesday, June 26. The NEOBCA and Blue Streak Camps will administer these games to feature 180 elite high school baseball players from Northeast Ohio. This free one-day event features three all-star games.
