The Seattle Mariners, The Scotts Company LLC (Scotts) and Major League Baseball are today scheduled to celebrate the opening of a newly refurbished youth baseball/softball field at the North Snohomish Little League Complex in Snohomish, Washington.
The official ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated field was scheduled for 5:00 p.m. It is expected to be attended by representatives from the Mariners, including Dave Valle and Mariners head groundskeeper Bob Christofferson, Scotts, MLB, North Snohomish Little League and the City of Snohomish. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is scheduled to lead a baseball clinic on the new field for 50 young athletes who participate in the North Snohomish Little League program.
This project is part of the Scotts® Field Refurbishment Program, a partnership between Scotts, MLB and its Clubs to give back to kids and communities around the country by renovating youth baseball and softball fields.
"In order for kids to play baseball and softball, they need good fields. That's why it is so important to the Mariners to join with Major League Baseball and Scotts on a project that not only connects kids to the game, but gives them a place they will be proud to call their home field," said Kevin Mather, Seattle Mariners President and COO.
"These field refurbishments are just one way we can give back to youth and communities across the country," said Josh Peoples, Vice President and General Manager of Scotts. "Encouraging fans and family to get outside and enjoy activities like baseball is what this program is all about."
The Scotts® Field Refurbishment Program is one of the key programs under MLB's PLAY BALL initiative, which began in 2015 to encourage widespread participation in all forms of baseball and softball activities, especially among youth. Scotts is a supporter of PLAY BALL and also the title sponsor of Scotts® MLB Pitch, Hit and Run - MLB's largest national youth skills competition.
North Snohomish Little League serves 500 boys and girls, ages 4-16, from the areas surrounding the historic community of Snohomish, which is located northeast of Seattle. The Scotts Field Refurbishment Program has allowed North Snohomish Little League to renovate a field in their 10 field complex to serve kids in the "intermediate" age group from 11-13, which bridges the transition from Little League to Junior League Baseball, which is played on a full-sized field.
In addition to today's ribbon cutting ceremony at the new field, representatives of North Snohomish Little League, Major League Baseball and Scotts will be at Safeco Field for an on-field presentation on Tuesday, May 2, prior to the Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels game.
The Scotts Field Refurbishment Program is scheduled to dedicate a newly renovated field each month from March through August. Other targeted communities include Los Angeles, Dallas, Oakland and Miami. In 2016, Scotts and MLB modernized fields for young ballplayers in South Carolina with the Atlanta Braves, New York City with the New York Mets, Kansas City with the Kansas City Royals, Houston with the Houston Astros, Boston with the Boston Red Sox, and San Diego during 2016 MLB All-Star Week with the San Diego Padres.
Scotts is now in its eighth season as the Official Lawn Care Company of Major League Baseball and second season as an official partner of the PLAY BALL initiative.