Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League Foundation has awarded 20 youth softball and baseball equipment grants, each valued at approximately $2500, to youth organizations in Northwoods League communities. Each grant features a collection of Rawlings equipment, including two sets of catcher’s gear, ten gloves, eight batting helmets, six bats and one bucket of practice balls.
The Share the Glove initiative was developed to encourage participation in youth baseball and softball activities throughout the Northwoods League footprint, as part of the League’s 25th Season Celebration. Northwoods League affiliates promoted the grant and collected applications from youth organizations in their local markets over a six-week period this Spring.
“There’s a vast amount of excitement in our community about the Share the Glove program,” said Scott Schreiner, Co-Owner and Vice President of the St. Cloud Rox. “On behalf of the entire St. Cloud Rox organization we want to thank the Northwoods League Foundation in helping make a positive impact in Central Minnesota through the Share the Glove program!”
According to Gary Hoover, Northwoods League Foundation Secretary, “The Share the Glove program delivers right from the heart of the Foundation’s mission – it brings together the Northwoods League, its Affiliates and partners to recognize and support the important role youth sports participation plays in developing character and strong communities.”
The Northwoods League Foundation proudly recognizes the following organizations as recipients of a 2018 Share the Glove equipment grant (local NWL Affiliate listed in parenthesis):
City of Marshall Rec Department (Battle Creek Bombers)
McClusky Dragons (Bismarck Larks)
Western Duluth Little League (Duluth Huskies)
Lowes Creek Little League (Eau Claire Express)
Fond du Lac Youth Fastpitch (Fond du Lac Dock Spiders)
Ashwaubenon Girls Softball Association (Green Bay Bullfrogs)
Kalamazoo Kings 12U (Kalamazoo Growlers)
Lakeland Little League (Kenosha Kingfish)
Boys and Girls Club of Greater La Crosse (La Crosse Loggers)
Grafton American Little League (Lakeshore Chinooks)
Cambria-Friesland Summer Softball Club (Madison Mallards)
Kennedy Elementary (Mankato MoonDogs)
Southeastern MN Miracle Field (Rochester Honkers)
Roy Gayle Pony Baseball/Softball Association (Rockford Rivets)
Miracle League of St. Cloud (St. Cloud Rox)
Boys and Girls Club of Thunder Bay (Thunder Bay Border Cats)
City of Hudson Baseball/Softball Program (Waterloo Bucks)
212 BOLD Youth Baseball (Willmar Stingers)
Medford City Baseball (Wisconsin Woodchucks)
Wisconsin Rapids Youth Sports Association (Wisconsin Rapids Rafters)
Grant recipients will also have the opportunity to be recognized on-field at one home game of their local Affiliate during the 2018 season.
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The Northwoods League Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that serves as a vehicle to transform a shared passion for baseball into positive change and support for communities. The Mission of the Northwoods League Foundation is to utilize the game of baseball to enrich the quality of life for children and families with an enduring and caring focus on Northwoods League communities.