RBI presented by KPMG is one of many Major League Baseball initiatives dedicated to enhancing youth participation and interest in baseball and softball. Specifically, RBI is designed to promote interest in the sport and encourage kids to stay in school. Major League Baseball's RBI program ("Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities") provides more than 120,000 kids in more than 200 cities the chance to play organized baseball. The 20-year old program has grown to feature regional and world series tournaments for junior and senior boys baseball as well as girls softball.
Locally, the Reds Community Fund supports a spring RBI league that features seven junior high teams, in an effort to return baseball to the junior high level throughout Cincinnati Public Schools and N. Kentucky Public Schools. The program also features summer teams in various age groups, taking some of the top talent in the inner-cities of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky and allowing them to compete with some of the top, suburban select teams in the region.
This year marks the first time in ten years that Cincinnati will host the East Regional RBI tournament. The Jr. & Sr. championship game will take place inside the confines of Great American Ball Park on Monday, Aug. 3. In partnership with the local KPMG accounting firm this year's program promises to add a more robust experience in the classroom, teaching ethics and financing as well as the giving back to the community through community service.
For more information on this program please contact Adam Shaffer at ashaffer@reds.com or (513) 765-7020.
The "Match" program is designed to bring youth baseball teams from the suburbs and the inner city together in the spirit of diversity, interaction and friendly competition. This year will mark the greatest expansion to date for this program as 20 organizations "10 Matches" will be formed in one of the most meaningful programs the Reds Community Fund supports.
This year's matches feature:
Each Match will participate in a home and home series where teams blend and play a friendly competitive game which concludes with a social picnic with the kids and their families. All teams will play an integral role in this year's Civil Rights Game where they will take part in our largest Match gatherings at Schmidt Field then participate in a freedom march through Great American Ball Park. The program will culminate in a field trip to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
For more information on the "Match" program, contact Adam Shaffer at (513) 765-7020 or ashaffer@reds.comm.
The Youth Baseball Funding program will enter its fifth year in 2009. This initiative is a funding mechanism for underserved youth baseball and softball organizations. The program was inspired by local inner-city coaches, who single-handedly keep baseball alive in urban neighborhoods while striving to be positive role models.
The Reds Community Fund began this outreach operation in 2005 by funding five Knothole baseball organizations. In 2008, the initiative grew to support 20 organizations which is over 280 teams and spent over $280,000 to support them. This year the Reds Community Fund will expand its influence once again as it will reach more than 30 organizations while financially assisting more than 300 teams.
In order to qualify for funding organizations must fill out a grant application and to remain eligible for the program, each organization must do a minimum of three community-based activities. Grant dollars can be used by the teams to assist in uniforms, equipment expenses, along with various fees.
For more information regarding the Youth Baseball funding Program, please contact Adam Shaffer at (513) 765-7020 or ashaffer@reds.com.
Since its inception in 2001 the Reds Community Fund has used baseball as a vehicle to reach out to kids. As the nonprofit arm of baseball's first professional team, the Community Fund strives to create programming that connects children with baseball, while creating fundraising programs that connect baseball with the community.
As part of its baseball-themed outreach, the Reds Community Fund offers field renovation and youth baseball funding grants. In order to be eligible for funding your organization must meet the following criteria:
The Reds Community Fund grant cycle adheres to the following timeline:
All applications will be reviewed monthly. At that time, your organization will be notified of your initial status. Incomplete applications will be returned. If your application is approved for further evaluation, you will be contacted by a Reds Community Fund representative to schedule an informational meeting.
For more information, please contact Adam Shaffer at 513-765-7020 or ashaffer@reds.com.
Community