First 2024 Facilities Fund Awards Announced; Four-Year Impact of Fund exceeds £100,000
1 August 2024
BaseballSoftballUK is delighted to announce the first two recipients of the 2024 Facilities Fund and further investment into grassroots facilities. Over its first four years, the Facilities Fund has generated a total investment into local baseball and softball facilities just over £104,000 across eighteen projects nationwide.
As part of BaseballSoftballUK’s (BSUK) Two Sports, One Ambition Strategy launched in August 2020, BSUK reaffirmed its commitment to help grassroots baseball and softball organisations across the UK to become stronger, safer and more sustainable. The Facilities Fund is a key part of this commitment, with £40,000 from BSUK’s budget invested to date. The scheme, which is designed to attract further funds through match funding, has more than doubled its investment.
The Fund again had many quality applications, crafted with direct one-to-one support from BSUK staff throughout the year, prior to the independent awarding panel assessment. All involved were impressed with the high levels of commitment demonstrated by applicants.
Successful applicants
BaseballSoftballUK is delighted to announce the following awards:
- Manchester Baseball Club - £3,808.15 towards a total project of £7,674.38
- Manchester Softball League - £ 3,924 towards a total project of £7,848
With £7,700+ awarded by BaseballSoftballUK this year, the first two recipients will complete baseball and softball grassroots fields development projects with a total value exceeding £15,400.
The Projects
Manchester Baseball Club will use their funding award for a number of critical improvements at Wythenshawe Park across both of their diamonds. This includes the new installation of a running track around diamond one, creating a pitcher’s mound on diamond 2, and improve diamond two with infield cutouts and a mesh backstop. Repairs on field 1 will also take place to improve the club’s primary field.
Manchester Softball League will use their award for a storage container at Wythenshawe Sports Ground, the primary venue for the league, along with artificial turf for two batting boxes at Parrs Wood High School, the league’s other venue.
Comments
Manchester Baseball Club’s Laurie Salfred-Ingham said, “With the development of our two fields will come more access to training to better develop the league as a whole and begin to plan for adding a second woman's team next season.”
“A quote from one of my favourite movies, Field of Dreams, ‘If you build it, he will come’. With improved grounds brings access which brings development which brings growth. I look forward to seeing baseball become a part of many people's lifelong memories for many age groups, for many years to come.”
Abbie De Zwart from the Manchester Softball League said, “Manchester Softball League are delighted to be granted funding to improve our facilities here in Manchester. Artificial turf on our batting boxes will ensure they are safe and useable throughout the season, including during wet periods. We would like to thank BaseballSoftballUK for providing this opportunity to grow the sport here in Manchester through improved facilities.”
BaseballSoftballUK CEO John Boyd commented, “Manchester is an important community for baseball and softball, and we’re excited to be able to fund these two projects from the Facilities Fund. We look forward to working with both organisations to implement their improvements.
“With an impact of more than £100,000 over the past four years, the Facilities Fund has been the most direct way to improve grassroots fields and facilities across the UK since 2020. The growth and improvement of infrastructure is a key element in the growth of the sport, and we look forward to supporting further projects.”
The Fund
As part of the Facilities Fund, BaseballSoftballUK has highlighted successful past applicants with the Facility Feature series, showcasing how the Funding awards have been put to use over the last four years. You can view the Facility Features at the links below:
- Bristol Baseball Field – Somerdale Pavillion
- Birmingham Baseball Club – Purplebricks Field
- Guildford Baseball Club – Kings College
BaseballSoftballUK is also committed to working with the applicants who were unsuccessful during this round of funding for future developments. The next Facilities Fund application window opens in October 2024.
With one year remaining for the current Facilities Fund allocation, BaseballSoftballUK is looking for sponsors to help top up and continue the Fund. If you or your organisation are interested in assisting in this endeavour, or know someone who is, please get in touch here.
For more information on the Facilities Fund email facilitiesfund@bsuk.com or click here.