Play Ball is a new community initiative for 2016. For this program, the Rawhide have partnered with the Wittman Youth
Center in the North area of Visalia where baseball has stopped being taught & played at schools. Full baseball equipment will be
provided to the youth center, and they will assist in selecting 50 kids under
12 (half girls, half boys) to participate in 1 clinic per month with Rawhide
players. Each child will be provided a glove & ball to take home, as well as a
t-shirt. The aim of this program is to provide access to baseball for those
who do not have the financial or home-support to participate in local
leagues, and to encourage these kids to continue to be involved in the sport
as they get older, or at least feel like they have a strong tie to their local
professional baseball team. (as emphasized by Rob Manfred’s “Play Ball”
initiative)
BASIC PROGRAM Info
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This program is structured to combine ‘Character Counts!’ values, and MLB’s ‘Play Ball’ initiative
50 kids total to participate
50% split of Girls & Boys
Kids 12 & under
Individuals who don’t have the financial resources, or support from home to have access to organized baseball leagues
Emphasis on recruiting minorities
Give them foundational baseball skills, exposure to the game, & basic equipment to continue playing
Give them thorough knowledge of what it means to have character on & off the field
Provide the Wittman Center with all equipment needed & an acceptable playing surface for continued play outside of the program
Engage current & former MiLB/MLB players as volunteers, as well as local high school & college teams
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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Kick-off Game: Weds, April 27th – 6pm game time (buses leaving at 8pm)
Clinic #1: Sat, April 30th – 12-1pm - @ Rawhide Ballpark – Throw & Catch - Trustworthiness
Clinic #2: Sat, May 28th – 12-1pm - @ Rawhide Ballpark – Batting #1 - Respect
Clinic #3: Thu, June 30th – 12-1pm - @ Rawhide Ballpark – Run the Bases - Responsibility
Clinic #4: Fri, July 22nd – 12-1pm - @ Rawhide Ballpark – Fly Balls & Grounders - Fairness
Clinic #5: Sat, Aug 27th – 12-1pm - @ Rawhide Ballpark – Batting #2 - Caring
End-of-Program Celebration Game: Sun, Aug 28th – 6pm game time (4pm wiffle ball game for kids) - Citizenship
SPONSORS/SUPPORTERS
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Arizona Diamondbacks & Visalia Rawhide Ballclubs
Tulare County Step-Up Program
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Character Counts! / Will Tiesiera Ford