Cubs Charities Diamond Project launched for 2015

PITTSBURGH -- Monday marked the launch of the 2015 Cubs Charities Diamond Project, aimed at improving the quality, safety and accessibility of local baseball fields or indoor training facilities.

Last year, Cubs Charities introduced the Diamond Project and awarded more than $330,000 to seven projects across Chicago.

The goal of the Diamond Project is to expand opportunities for children to play baseball, create or enhance green space in underserved neighborhoods and foster a love of the game, particularly in the inner city.

As part of this year's kickoff, Cubs Charities will host an informational session on May 6 at 10 a.m. CT in the Audi Club at Wrigley Field. Interested nonprofit, neighborhood-based organizations and schools in the Chicago area can email [email protected] to attend.

Cubs Charities, with technical assistance from Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago (LISC), will identify communities in need of new or improved baseball fields. Cubs Charities also will donate 10 scoreboards to local fields in partnership with Daktronics, the manufacturer of the new scoring and video boards inside Wrigley Field. Applicants may request grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 from the Cubs Charities Diamond Project.

For additional information on the Cubs Charities Diamond Project and to learn how to apply, please visit www.cubs.com/diamondproject. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. CT on June 19.

• Double-A Tennessee's Dan Vogelbach was named the Southern League's Player of the Week for April 9-19. Vogelbach, 22, batted .484 (15-for-31) in the first nine games, driving in three runs and hitting four doubles. He leads the league in hits and is ranked among the leaders in doubles, totals bases (19) and slugging percentage (.613).