OUR MISSION
Grand Slam for Youth Baseball makes it easier for boys and girls to play, learn about and experience baseball, thus seeking to foster self-confidence, involvement, teamwork and fun among area children.
Information and applications related to Grand Slam for Youth Baseball can also be found at www.gsfyb.com
OVERVIEW
The Houston Astros and the makers of Minute Maid came together in 2002 and created Grand Slam for Youth Baseball, a four-part program designed to bring the benefits of the National Pastime to the young people of Greater Houston. Grand Slam for Youth Baseball makes it easier for boys and girls to play, learn about and experience baseball, thus seeking to foster self-confidence, involvement, teamwork, and fun among youth in Houston and the surrounding areas,
Entering the 2009 season Minute Maid and the Astros in Action Foundation have donated $1.5 million of support to Houston area baseball and softball.
Grand Slam for Youth Baseball is comprised of the following four components:
Sponsorship of the City of Houston Parks & Recreation Department's Youth Baseball Program
The 2009 season marks the seventh year Grand Slam for Youth Baseball has sponsored the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department's free youth baseball, softball and t-ball program for kids ages 4-18. GSFYB provides all t-shirts, caps and equipment for the program. More than 20,000 Houston-area boys and girls have benefited from the program.
For more information about the Houston Parks and Recreation Department's Youth Baseball Program, please call 713-865-4517 or 713-865-4512.
Refurbishment of one youth ball field each year
The Astros and Minute Maid, through GSFYB have pledged to refurbish one youth ball field a year by providing landscaping, renovating facilities or helping with other needs. Employees of both organizations assist in the refurbishment efforts.
The first youth ball field to be refurbished through GSFYB was Settegast Park Ball Field in 2003 located in Houston's East End, only blocks from Minute Maid Park. Other refurbishment projects include:
2004 - Northeast Family YMCA Located on Tidwell near Wayside this refurbished field was dedicated on April 2.
2005 - La Marque Little League's Bobby Beach Memorial Stadium Field refurbishment included renovating bleachers, replacing fences, modifying dugouts, replacing the scoreboard, installing a flagpole, painting buildings and reworking and improving the field. 2006 - St. Monica Catholic Church Youth Baseball Fields #1 and #2 In the Acres Homes area of north Houston, GSFYB renovated St. Monica's fields by installing permanent fencing an electronic scoreboard, bleachers with railings, dugout covers and a flagpole.
2007 - John Havard Field Rededicated in 2007, John Havard Field is part of The Boys and Girls Club of Houston, Morefield Unit. It is located near Monte Beach Park, just west of I-45 on Airline Drive.
2008 - L.S. Stiles Field This field located in southwest Houston is part of the Alief Youth Association. Refurbishment included new fencing and bleachers; complete field leveling and putting in sod; installing an irrigation system, electronic scoreboard and flagpole.
2009 - First Colony Little League Baseball Complex, Dream League (DL) Field 1 Renovations to this field in Ft. Bend County will make it more accessible for physically-challenged kids with special needs. Field upgrades will include rebuilding and enlarging the dugouts, expanding the spectator viewing area and adding accessible seating, adding fencing and reparing turf.
Field Refurbishment Assistance Program
The Astros In Action Foundation and Minute Maid have pledged to refurbish one youth baseball field each year for the next two decades through the Grand Slam For Youth Baseball (GSFYB) program. In addition to the dedication, the AIAF and Minute Maid will announce that the next renovation project will focus on assisting youth leagues still working to recover from Hurricane Ike. Leagues may apply for Field Refurbishment assistance by completing a GSFYB application.
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Scholarship program
The Grand Slam for Youth Baseball Scholarship program was launched in 2005 to assist Houston-area high school senior boys and girls with college expenses. Through the program, Minute Maid and the Astros in Action Foundation fund and support individual $2,500 college scholarships each year. In 2008, 20 youth received scholarships and since inception $111,500 has been granted to young students.
Unique fundraising opportunity for youth baseball/softball teams and leagues
Through GSFYB, the Astros and Minute Maid offer unique fundraising opportunities to help qualified 501(c) 3 youth baseball and softball teams and leagues raise money for baseball/softball-related expenses. This piece of the GSFYB program has generated more than $150,000 in proceeds for Houston area leagues and teams.
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Community
Grand Slam for Youth Baseball makes it easier for boys and girls to play, learn about and experience baseball, thus seeking to foster self-confidence, involvement, teamwork and fun among area children.
The Astros and Minute Maid, through GSFYB have pledged to refurbish one youth ball field a year by providing landscaping, renovating facilities or helping with other needs. Employees of both organizations assist in the refurbishment efforts.
2008 - L.S. Stiles Field
The Grand Slam for Youth Baseball Scholarship program was launched in 2005 to assist Houston-area high school senior boys and girls with college expenses. Through the program, Minute Maid and the Astros in Action Foundation fund and support individual $2,500 college scholarships each year. In 2008, 20 youth received scholarships and since inception $111,500 has been granted to young students.