Outfield fencing for two baseball fields will become reality thanks to a grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund that was awarded to the Lihu’e Baseball League.
LBL utilized the $10,020 award to purchase the new fencing for the fields located in the Lihu’e County Park behind the convention hall parking lot.
“This is a wonderful opportunity, not only for our program, but for the boys and girls who serve it,” said Warren Koga, LBL president. “We have used the grant to support our ongoing commitment to ballpark safety for our Kaua’i youth playing teeball and baseball for years to come.”
The LBL has been a longtime supporter of youth baseball in the Lihu’e community, instructing the fundamentals of baseball with hands-on coaching and competitive game schedules.
The league has already started construction on the outfield fencing which will be in use starting mid-December.
A product of Sportfence NME, the fence will provide designated, constricted areas for the youth to play in, and an even safer boundary for those people in the outlying expanse. Additionally, this type of fence has no sharp edges, and its panels have a patented breakaway mechanism that activates on impact reducing the chance of serious injury.
“We are excited to have been awarded this generous grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. Ballpark safety is of the utmost importance to the League,” said Fields and Grounds Committee Chair Craig Koga.
Because of its strong commitment towards providing a safe environment for the league’s players, coaches, and officials, the LBL started their Ballpark Safety Project.
Currently, the Ballpark Safety Project is focusing on one prevailing concern which is outfield safety. At the present time, Kaua’i is limited to its number of ballparks. This limitation causes our fields to be used for simultaneous multi-recreational activities which can be hazardous for both players and community members.
The LBL feels the installation of an outfield fence is necessary to minimize these conditions.
As part of their continued fundraising efforts, the LBL will be selling signage space for business/commerical advertising.
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund was designed to promote and enhance the growth of baseball among youth in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world. Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) developed the program as a collaborative effort to ensure the future of baseball.
Since its inception in 1999, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund annually awards approximately $2 million to youth baseball and softball programs in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe.
The Fund awards grants to support a variety of boys and girls programs such as, building or renovating baseball fields to provide more community access. providing equipment and uniforms, training new coaches and improving the quality of current coaches, developing baseball and softball skills for youth of all abilities and disabilities, and developing new programs.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and awards are awarded quarterly. Organizations may access the Baseball Tomorrow Fund online: www.baseball tomorrowfund.com or by writing Baseball Tomorrow Fund, 245 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10167.
