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EAST LIVERPOOL -- River Valley Youth Baseball League president Chris Davis was pleasantly surprised when he received the news two weeks ago that the organization was receiving $10,000 from Pittsburgh Pirates Charities "Fields for Kids" program to go toward renovations at the organization's McGuffey Road facility.
"With the virus going on, we knew that the Pirates (and Major League Baseball) had their own concerns because they had fewer games and attendance restrictions," Davis said. "We were not expecting anything. For them to do this during this time shows that they are really committed to youth sports in the area."
Pittsburgh Pirates Charities announced the awarding of the grants on Wednesday.
The money, which came in partnership with the Tull Family Foundation, will be used to add another field and to make accommodations for fields to be used for both softball and baseball purposes. The facility currently has four fields that serves the 300-participant organization.
River Valley Youth Baseball League received another $10,000 grant from Pirates Charities two years ago and that money was combined with donations to make improvements to the facility.
Davis said he'll wait to use the money because the cost of construction is "through the roof" right now due to the virus.
The organization has a year to use the grant funds.
The Fields for Kids program provides financial support through matching grants to improve youth baseball and softball fields. Grant funds may be used in a variety of ways including upgrading essential field components such as sod, infield playing surfaces, fencing, dugouts and irrigation systems. Upgrades including lights, bleachers, scoreboards, concession stands and ADA/accessibility improvements are also eligible.
Also receiving grants were Boardman Community Baseball in Mahoning County, Mercer County (Pennsylvania) Area Little League, Allegheny County Oakdale Little League and West Virginia's Kingwood Baseball and Softball League.
Fields for Kids has issued 373 individual grants to organizations in the Pittsburgh region since 2009.