Please mark April 30 on your calendars for the long-awaited dedication ceremony of JIM MARTIN FIELD. The high school field dedication will be one of the highlights during Vashon Youth Baseball & Softball (VYBS) Opening Day festivities.
Later that evening, VYBS will hold its annual "Baseball Social" fundraiser from 6-9pm at Sound Food Cafe, 20312 Vashon Highway SW. The cost is $40 per couple. This annual event is a veritable 'who's who' of the baseball community and is not only a great evening of entertainment, fabulous food, and raffle prizes, but also the premier fundraiser for youth baseball on the island.
It is increasingly up to the generosity of people in the community to make up for the budget shortfalls of athletic programs. When we asked Pirates Head Coach, Steve Hall, about next year's budget needs, he indicated the school budget would only provide about a third of what will be required to sustain another season of Pirates Baseball. It will not cover $2,400 to replace bats (at an average of $200 each), $950 for balls, and $200−$300 to replace uniform pieces. Steve and Jim also dreamed of some day having the kind of field and indoor equipment that larger programs can support: a field tarp, covers for the bases and mound, a new pitching machine, and an indoor batting cage permanently mounted to the gym ceiling.
Please give what you can to support youth baseball and we hope to see YOU on April 30!
