Minute Maid and Astros in action foundation to dedicate First Colony Dream League Field
2010 Grand Slam For Youth Baseball field refurbishment program to assist leagues affected by Hurricane Ike
Minute Maid and the Astros In Action Foundation (AIAF) will dedicate the newly refurbished First Colony Little League, Fields 1 and 3 at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. The field ceremony will be held at the First Colony Baseball Complex, located at 3232 Austin Parkway. Astros Chairman and CEO Drayton McLane, Astros President of Business Operations Pam Gardner, Astros pitcher Brandon Backe, former Astros player Jimmy Wynn, Astros broadcaster Dave Raymond, Senior Vice President of Coca-Cola North America Michael Saint John and Mayor of Sugar Land James A. Thompson will all attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony event.
Following the dedication, Brandon Backe will pitch to Dream League players during a brief two-inning game announced by Dave Raymond.
The First Colony Little League fields were selected because the Dream League provides opportunities for kids with special needs to play baseball. The renovations make the site more accessible for these players. New improvements to the field include rebuilding and enlarging the dugouts, expanding the spectator viewing area and adding accessible seating, adding fencing and repairing turf. The Dream League was initiated in 2007 to enable children with physical and/or mental disabilities from all over Ft. Bend County the chance to enjoy the game of baseball. With the new improvements to the complex, children with unique challenges will be better able to enjoy the game of baseball.
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 available at www.astros.com/community or www.gsfyb.com.
To date, the GSFYB field program has refurbished eight fields throughout the Houston area. Newly renovated fields include: L.S. Stiles Field (2008); John Havard Field (2007); St. Monica Catholic Church Youth Baseball Fields #1 and #2 (2006); La Marque Little League's Bobby Beach Memorial Stadium (2005); Northeast Family YMCA (2004) and the Settegast Park Ball Field (2003).
About Grand Slam for Youth Baseball
Minute Maid and the Houston Astros teamed up in August 2002 to create Grand Slam for Youth Baseball, a community outreach program designed to make it easier for boys and girls to play, learn about and experience baseball. The program, which seeks to foster self-confidence, involvement, teamwork and fun among area children, is composed of four key components:
1.) sponsorship of Houston Parks and Recreation Department's Youth Baseball Program;
2.) refurbishment of one youth ball field a year;
3.) a college scholarship program benefiting youth baseball/softball players;
4.) a fundraising opportunity for youth baseball/softball teams and leagues.