Big Prizes to be Awarded by Sponsor Seeking StoriesWATERLOO, IOWA (April 22, 2013) - Youth baseball and softball seasons are infull swing, and the Quad Cities River Bandits want area kids to have a chance at winning big for their teams.In celebration of Youth Baseball Softball Day on May 19, Iowa nonprofit Build Our Ballpark is sponsoring a promotion that awards each player and coach from the winner's team a Dick's Sporting Goods gift card."In 2009, Governor Culver helped us proclaim this holiday statewide," said Bob Hellman, Build Our Ballpark founder and executive director. "We hope it will grow intoa national event, especially with activities like this giveaway."To enter, players age four to 14 should submit one to two paragraphs or a short video about why they love to play baseball or softball and what they've learned by playing.Entries will be accepted at BuildOurBallpark.org from May 19 to June 19, witha winner being drawn June 20.The winner's team will receive a $50 gift card for each player and coach to purchase items like cleats, gloves and apparel."We can't wait to hear how baseball and softball have affected kids' lives in apositive way," said Hellman. "I bet a lot of their stories will sound like the ones I lovedto tell at that age."
To learn more about the promotion and help children enter, visit BuildOurBallpark.org.About Build Our Ballpark/Youth Baseball Softball DayCreated in 2008, Build Our Ballpark was the vision of Bob Hellman Sr., the founder and chairman of the board at Hellman, a marketing and advertising agency in Waterloo, Iowa. The organization is committed to providing the assistance and rallying the support needed to build new ballparks and/or improve existing ballparks to ensure kids have a quality place to play. In 2009, Build Our Ballpark helped create Youth Baseball Softball Day, an official state holiday celebrated on May 19 as declared by Governor Chet Culver. That night, the first games were played under the new lights at Hellman Field. By promoting teamwork, strengthening character, building pride and teaching life skills, Build Our Ballpark is rebuilding passion in America's pastime - one field at a time. For more information, please visit www.BuildOurBallpark.org.###
