St. Cloud, MN – The St. Cloud Rox are excited to announce they are accepting applications for the “Share the Glove” Youth Equipment Grant Program in conjunction with the Northwoods League Foundation. Recently unveiled by the Northwoods League Foundation, “Share the Glove” will provide youth baseball and softball equipment in every Northwoods League market.

The Northwoods League Foundation is celebrating the 25^th season of the Northwoods League by donating $50,000 in youth Rawlings baseball and softball equipment through 20 grants. Each grant, with an approximate retail value of $2500, will include two sets of catcher’s gear, ten gloves, eight batting helmets, six bats and one bucket of practice balls.

Ten baseball grants will be awarded, one in each North Division market, including St. Cloud.  And ten softball grants will be awarded, one in each South Division market. Organizations must meet applicable criteria related to IRS 501(c)(3) guidelines and the Northwoods League Foundation’s Mission.

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.

“Share the Glove is an exciting opportunity for the Foundation to support youth organizations throughout our communities during the highly visible celebration of the Northwoods League’s 25^th anniversary,” said Gary Hoover, Northwoods League Foundation Secretary. “We not only have the chance to impact those communities where the Northwoods League operates, but to foster a love and appreciation for the games of baseball and softball through participation.”

The Rox will be accepting grant applications from local organizations for consideration throughout the Spring. To download the Share the Glove application, click here. Grant recipients will be notified in mid-May, just before the Rox home opener on Friday, June 1^st.

The Rox will play their 7^th season of Northwoods League Baseball in 2018. The home opener at Joe Faber Field is scheduled for Friday, June 1^st at 7:05 pm against the Mankato MoonDogs. The home opener, presented by Coborn’s, will feature post-game fireworks. Full and Partial Season tickets and group ticket packages for the 2018 season are currently on sale. For more information regarding this release please contact the Rox front office at (320) 240-9798 or visit www.stcloudrox.com.

The St. Cloud Rox are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 185 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.stcloudrox.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rox as your favorite team.