Chevrolet Goes to Bat to Help Refurbish Detroit Ball Field

DETROIT – Chevrolet employees and volunteers – including Detroit Tigers mascot PAWS -- pitched in to help polish a diamond into a gleaming jewel Thursday, at the Jayne Field youth baseball complex on Detroit’s east side.

Chevrolet’s baseball roots run deep. In addition to being the Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball™, Chevrolet supports youth baseball initiatives across the country through the Chevrolet Youth Baseball and Diamonds and Dreams programs.

Since 2006, participating dealers in the Chevrolet Youth Baseball program have helped raise more than $13 million for equipment and other team needs; sponsored more than 500 youth clinics; reached more than 3 million young people and helped raise money to fund more than 2,000 park improvements. This year, more than 1,600 Chevrolet dealers are involved.

The Detroit project is coordinated in partnership with Think Detroit PAL, which operates the largest youth baseball program in the city; as well as the Detroit Recreation Department and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.

Chevrolet employees and volunteers cleaned, pulled weeds and painted the dugout and bleacher areas at Field No. 4 in preparation for a professional field makeover by Ripken Design and Scotts Miracle-Gro. The field will be refurbished in time to kick off the 2012 youth baseball season.

“As a major supporter of youth baseball across the country, Chevrolet is looking forward to giving young baseball players in our hometown of Detroit a field they can be proud to play on,” said Chris Perry, vice president, global Chevrolet marketing.

Think Detroit PAL uses the Jayne Field complex under an agreement with the City of Detroit, which owns the park. Last year, 1,400 young people played on about 100 teams in PAL baseball leagues. In total, Think Detroit PAL sports programs serve 10,000 city youth each year.

“We are excited about working with Chevrolet and the City of Detroit to enhance a great baseball park where our kids can learn the positive lessons that come from being part of a sports team,” said Tim Richey, Think Detroit PAL CEO.

Chevrolet began the Diamonds and Dreams program in 2010 to help provide young ball players with an opportunity to play on a “dream” baseball field in their hometown.

Later this month, Chevrolet will announce its 2012 participation at www.chevybaseball.com. Since this online and mobile grassroots promotion began, Diamonds and Dreams has awarded over 25 baseball field makeovers across the United States in partnership with Ripken Design and Scotts Miracle-Gro; and received more than 140,000 entries.

Courtesy of Chevrolet