YMCA Inner City Youth Baseball and Softball Program and the Whitecaps Community Foundation From
players
and
coaches
“The Little League kids had on
to volunteers and parents, the
all of their uniforms, they looked
positive impact of the YMCA Inner
fantastic and were playing on a field
City Youth Baseball and Softball
that was perfectly maintained,”
Founded in 1995, the Whitecaps
program can be felt throughout
she said. “Just over the fence on
Community Foundation has helped
Grand Rapids’ neighborhoods.
the other side were our inner city
more
kids who were playing on a field
participate in the YMCA Inner
Jessica Muzevuca, who works
that wasn’t maintained and rarely
City Youth Baseball and Softball
with the program as the Whitecaps’
did the kids have matching shirts.
program,
Community
Manager,
It was an eye opener. I realized
to teach the fundamentals of
remembers attending an event at
at that point, how are these kids
sportsmanship, and the positive
Riverside Park several years ago
going to take themselves seriously
values of respect, responsibility,
and noticing the stark difference
if they’re not getting the same
honesty and caring.
in equipment quality between the
quality of materials?”
Relations
players from the Inner City program
years and, as a result, the program is stronger than it’s ever been.
than
30,000
which
is
children
designed
The program is open to 1st – 8th
and a Little League game being
That hasn’t been an issue for
held on an adjoining field.
program participants in recent
grade boys and girls each summer
through the David D. Hunting
such as Fifth Third Bank and
Whitecaps founder and CEO
YMCA.
Meijer, and countless volunteers.
Lew Chamberlin recalls wanting to start a charitable component with
The Whitecaps are able to
Additionally,
part
the club shortly after the 1994
provide
to a $54,000 grant from Major
season ended. He was chatting
equipment so they can enjoy
League
Baseball
with his brother-in-law, who was on
baseball
including
Tomorrow Fund, the program was
the board of the local YMCA and
gloves, jerseys and hats. It’s part
able to rehabilitate Ted Rasberry
said that Little League popularity
of the continued evolution of the
Field in 2016. Named after the
was waning in the inner city. The
program that started shortly after
former Negro League owner and
YMCA wanted to add baseball and
West Michigan’s inaugural season
local resident, Rasberry Field has
softball programs to its summer
in 1994.
become a point of pride for South
schedule, so it made logical sense
East Grand Rapids residents.
for the new franchise to lend a
participants or
softball,
with
free
thanks
Baseball’s
in
Over the past 24 years, more
hand.
than $650,000 has been raised
“You can see the direct impact
for the program, and has grown
on
from a few hundred participants
kids,” Muzevuca said. “Since we
great,”
to more than 1,500 children now
renovated Ted Rasberry, that field
were obviously busy trying to get
participating annually. The program
has become immaculate and the
a franchise off the ground, but we
also continues to thrive due to the
neighborhood takes care of it.
were certainly willing to take funds
support of corporate sponsors,
They’re proud of it.”
the
community
and
our
“This is perfect, this will be Chamberlin
said.
Continued on page 69
“We
that were raised and dedicate it to
The
Whitecaps
Community
this program.”
Foundation also hold an annual
University. “That’s why we’re in it for the long haul.”
glove drive that is kicked off with In recent years, the program
a celebrity tee ball game featuring
Chamberlin still enjoys taking in
has been able to provide lunches
local media personalities.
games and watching the children
for participants, who also have the
learn how to play the sport he grew
chance to meet Whitecaps players
“It’s really cool to see a child who
and attend a game for free.
maybe has never even put a glove
up loving.
on their hand before or thrown a
“Some of these kids, especially
Additionally, the oldest players in
baseball or softball and they put
the young ones, are so cute when
the program play in an all-star game
it on their hand and just fall in
they swing the bat and start running.
at Fifth Third Ballpark, where they
love with it,” said Muzevuca, who
have full access to the dugouts and
played softball at Western Michigan
the complete Whitecaps experience.
TED RASPERRY FIELD
BEFORE
AFTER