Globe Life and Texas Rangers Partner on Baseball and Softball Grant Program

The Globe Life And Accident Insurance Company and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation today announced the details of its 2014 grant program designed to provide assistance to youth baseball and softball programs in the club's five-state broadcasting region, the third consecutive year for the project.

On February 5, 2014, the Rangers and Globe Life announced a 10-year agreement establishing Globe Life Park in Arlington as the new name for Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. As part of the agreement, Globe Life is making a substantial commitment to support youth baseball and softball programs through the Globe Life Texas Rangers Baseball and Softball Program.

Beginning today, the Rangers Foundation will be accepting proposals for grants for this baseball/softball grant program from nonprofit organizations that specifically support youth baseball or softball in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Arkansas. While the Rangers Foundation supports a number of other areas of focus, this grant program and all applications should be limited to support of youth baseball and softball. Grants can be used for equipment, construction projects, field renovations, or other projects that help further the baseball and softball in that community. Grants are not given for travel expenses.

In 2012, the Foundation awarded seven grants at more than $50,000.00: Paris Breakfast Optimist Club, Boys and Girls Clubs of Denison, East Wilco Challenger Sports, Battiest Baseball Team sponsored by Battiest Public School, RBI Austin, Arlington Girls Softball Association and Azle Little League. In 2013, more than $90,000 was distributed to 11 organizations: Belton Youth Baseball Association, Bosqueville Baseball Association, Inc., Dripping Springs Youth Sports Association, Baseball & Softball, City of Lancaster Parks and Recreation, McKinney Little League, Mercy Street West Dallas, North Bee County Little League, North Vermillion Youth Association, San Saba Youth Sports & Recreation Association, City of Shreveport, and YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, Oak Cliff Branch.

More grants are expected to be dedicated to the program in 2014.

"The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation is proud to partner with Globe Life to continue this very worthwhile grant program," commented Foundation President and club Hall of Famer Jim Sundberg. "Our Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of youngsters in need. The funding of youth baseball and softball programs across our entire region allows us to build relationships with communities market-wide as we strengthen the sport. We thank Globe Life for their help and support" 

"We are excited to have the opportunity to join with the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation's Grant Program," said Globe Life President Bill Leavell. "It is a tremendous honor for Globe Life to be involved with the wonderful work the Rangers do to support and encourage our youth to participate in the great games of baseball and softball."

The Rangers are assisted by the team's broadcasting partners, Fox Sports Southwest, TXA21, and ESPN 103.3 FM and the Rangers ESPN Radio Network in promoting the grant program.

For more than 20 years, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation has supported youth baseball and softball through financial contributions and in-kind support. Since 1991, the Foundation has helped construct 12 youth ballparks and provides funding for more than 3,000 youth to play baseball under the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program) in Arlington, Dallas and Fort Worth.

All grant proposals will be reviewed by Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation staff first to determine that the proposal is eligible and then by the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation Board of Directors. There is one grant cycle annually. Funding is limited to organizations supporting baseball and softball for children ages 18 and under. Grant requests must be for baseball and/or softball-related activities and will be accepted through June 30, 2014.

For more information, please visit texasrangers.com/grants.