Six years ago, Amy Webb, then a student at Glenvar High School, wrote an AP English paper on the impact of baseball in the Dominican Republic. As she researched for the report, she discovered a sad truth: despite the fact that baseball in the Dominican is a way of life for many in the country, few young boys and their families could afford the basic equipment (like bats and gloves) to play the game they loved. A number of major league baseball players are from the Domincan.
“Parents actually would let their kids leave school to train for baseball,” Webb said. “But they didn’t have normal equipment. They would use baskets for gloves and sticks for bats, and other stuff like that. And so few actually make the major leagues, so the rest would be uneducated, with no jobs and very few skills.”
Inspired, Webb, a passionate Baltimore Orioles fan herself, started to ponder ways she could help. “I even bought a ‘How-to’ book for starting non-profits,” she recalled. By August of 2003, Opportunity Through Baseball was launched.
In the years since, the organization, based in Salem, has partnered with cities all over the United States, donating baseball equipment to inter-city programs like LEAD in Atlanta, the Negro League Baseball Academy in Chicago, and the JOY Outdoor Education Center near Cincinnati.
“It’s kind of been a whirlwind, but it’s been really good,” Webb said. “I definitely want to reach more kids though.” She has set up a table outside minor league games in Salem to collect baseball gear in the past.
Webb’s vision for the effort extends far beyond a passion for the game. “I’ve looked at a lot of studies about youth activities and sports, and it’s been shown that sports, among other things, help give these kids something to be involved in, so that they’re not alone, getting in trouble, or hanging with the wrong crowd.”
After six years, finding such youth in need has been a challenge. “I know that there are a lot of kids in the world who don’t have access to sports equipment, and my question is where can I find them, and how can I help?”
In order to grow, Webb (who used to work part time for the Roanoke Express hockey team) says the company desperately needs volunteers, as well as financial support. “We need people who share in our vision, who are passionate about the game of baseball and who want to make a difference.”
Webb has employed several different creative ideas in order to drum up support, as well as maintain a presence locally. One such event coming up in the Roanoke area is “Grand Slam Saturday,” which will be held at Rivers Edge on Saturday, August 22nd from 10am – 4pm.
“It’ll be kind of a baseball – themed carnival,” Webb said. Children of all ages will be able to participate in various activities and games, including free clinics offered by The Yard Baseball and Softball Training Facility in Roanoke County. In addition, anyone who donates some form of baseball equipment will receive a voucher, which can be redeemed at one of the Salem Red Sox remaining home games this season.
The hope is that eventually, Opportunity Through Baseball will be able to do even more than donating equipment – possibly offering baseball camps and clinics, and maybe even reach out to its original source of inspiration, the Dominican Republic.
“I just love baseball, and want to share that with others,” Webb said. “This is something that I really care about, and I want to keep it going.”
Those interested in donating equipment or funds, wishing to volunteer or for more information about Opportunity Through Baseball, visit www.openyourglove.org, or call 540-318-0014.
By Matt Reeve [email protected]
