Grand Slam for Youth Baseball makes it easier for boys and girls to play, learn about and experience baseball, thus seeking to foster self-confidence, involvement, teamwork and fun among area children.
Information and applications related to Grand Slam for Youth Baseball can also be found at www.gsfyb.com
The Houston Astros and the makers of Minute Maid came together in 2002 and created Grand Slam for Youth Baseball, a four-part program designed to bring the benefits of the National Pastime to the young people of Greater Houston. Grand Slam for Youth Baseball makes it easier for boys and girls to play, learn about and experience baseball, thus seeking to foster self-confidence, involvement, teamwork, and fun among youth in Houston and the surrounding areas.
Entering the 2011 season, Minute Maid and the Astros In Action Foundation have donated more than $2.4 million of support to Houston area baseball and softball.
Grand Slam for Youth Baseball is comprised of the following four components:
The 2011 season marks the ninth year Grand Slam for Youth Baseball has sponsored the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department's free youth baseball, softball and t-ball program for kids ages 4-18. GSFYB provides all t-shirts, caps and equipment for the program. More than 4,000 Houston-area boys and girls benefit from the program each year.
For more information about the Houston Parks and Recreation Department's Youth Baseball Program, please call 713-865-4517 or 713-865-4512.
The Astros and Minute Maid, through GSFYB, have pledged to refurbish one youth ball field a year by providing landscaping, renovating facilities or helping with other needs. Employees of both organizations assist in the refurbishment efforts.
The first youth ball field to be refurbished through GSFYB was Settegast Park Ball Field in 2003 located in Houston's East End, only blocks from Minute Maid Park. Other refurbishment projects include:
The Grand Slam for Youth Baseball Scholarship program was launched in 2005 to assist Houston-area high school senior boys and girls with college expenses. Through the program, Minute Maid and the Astros in Action Foundation fund and support individual $2,500 college scholarships each year. In 2011, a record 25 youth received scholarships and since the program's inception, over $312,500 has been granted to young students.
Download GSFYB Scholarship ApplicationThrough GSFYB, the Astros and Minute Maid offer unique fundraising opportunities to help qualified 501(c)3 youth baseball and softball teams and leagues raise money for baseball/softball-related expenses. This piece of the GSFYB program has generated more than $175,000 in proceeds for Houston area leagues and teams.
For more information on any of these programs or to apply for fundraising opportunities, please call 713-259-8956.
