Orange H.S. to unveil newly renovated baseball field
Ceremony hosted by MLB Groundskeepers and Baseball Tomorrow Fund
ANAHEIM, CA (January 5, 2011) – Major League Baseball Groundskeepers and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) will host an unveiling ceremony of the newly renovated Orange High School baseball field in Orange, CA, on Tuesday, January 10. The school was chosen in May 2011 for the MLB Groundskeepers’ annual renovation service project.
The project has been spearheaded over the past six months by Barney Lopas, Director of Field Operations for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Each year, the Major League Baseball Groundskeepers convene for industry meetings, during which the Groundskeepers renovate a baseball field in need of repair. This year, aided by a grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund and with donations from three major sponsors (Toro, Turface Athletics and Covermaster Incorporated), the Groundskeepers have overseen the complete renovation of the playing surface and other baseball facility upgrades at Orange High School.
“The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is fortunate to collaborate on this project with such outstanding partners. We work closely with the MLB Groundskeepers, the Toro Company, Covermaster and Turface Athletics to support the growth of youth baseball and softball throughout the country,” said Cathy Bradley, Executive Director of the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. “It is a pleasure to support the field renovation at Orange High School and to provide a quality and safe field for the players, who will learn the value of teamwork and community while playing the great game of baseball.”
To celebrate the completion of the project, Orange High School will hold a grand opening ceremony at the baseball field on Tuesday, January 10 at 1 p.m. BTF Executive Director Cathy Bradley will participate in the festivities, along with major sponsors including Toro, Turface Athletics and Covermaster.
In addition to the use of the field by the Orange High School team, the field will serve Orange Little League, an organization established in 1958 that serves boys and girls ages 5-14. Orange High School also plans to host free baseball camps and clinics for youth in the community.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generous contributions and tireless work put into this project,” said Ernie Gonzalez, Principal of Orange High School. “The renovated field is a huge step forward in our efforts to reinvigorate the love for baseball in this community.”
Schedule for January 10, 2012
Location: 525 N. Shaffer St., Orange, CA 92867
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.: MLB Groundskeepers will complete finishing touches on the baseball field.
1 – 2 p.m.: Ceremony to unveil field, VIP speakers.
About the Baseball Tomorrow Fund
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is designed to promote the growth of youth baseball and softball throughout the world by awarding grants to support field renovation and construction projects, equipment and uniform purchases, coaches training material and other selected program expenses. Since its formation by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association in 1999, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund has awarded over 550 grants totaling more than $20 million to non-profit and tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Approximately 250,000 youth players have benefited from programs and facilities supported by the fund. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund receives approximately 500 applications each year and awards grants on a quarterly basis after a selective review process. For more information, visit www.baseballtomorrowfund.com.
About Orange High School
Established in 1905, Orange High School (OHS) is one of four comprehensive high schools in the Orange Unified School District (OUSD) that serves approximately 2080 students in grades 9-12. The school is located in the City of Orange, just north of the historic district known as Old Towne Orange and under four miles from Angel Stadium. The students of OHS comprise a combination of students living primarily within the City of Orange; however, the school’s boundaries also encompass portions of Santa Ana, Garden Grove and Anaheim. The school’s ethnic population is approximately 87% minority and over 65% qualify for the free and reduced lunch program.