About Batters Up USA®
Mission
To promote healthy lifestyles for our nation’s youth through participation in community recreational baseball and softball programs.
Scope
Batters Up USA® programs are designed for boys and girls of all ages, thereby maximizing our reach into the community. They work well in both urban and suburban settings anywhere a ball field is available.
Benefits
Because of our nation’s growing concerns on several health and community issues such as: childhood obesity, personal fitness, community deterioration, and juvenile delinquency, the Batters Up USA® programs offer an inexpensive, practical method to use popular team based sports with broad reach into communities to address these many lifestyle issues.
Programs
EQUIPMENT GRANTS
Batters Up USA® supports the start up of new youth recreational baseball/softball programs by contributing equipment (bats, balls, gloves, helmets, catcher’s gear) to help local organizations such as Parks & Recreation departments, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA’s, civic clubs, school systems, etc., that agree to add baseball/softball to their youth activities program. A grant application form is available on the website page Equipment Grants. Grant applications may be submitted on a year-round basis. Equipment quantities are based on the size of the program and are subject to availability. Equipment is contributed by member companies of Batters Up USA.
SUMMER RECREATION CENTER PROGRAMS
This is the most popular type program to which equipment is contributed. Each summer, thousands of boys and girls participate in local community center programs, many of which do not offer a baseball/softball activity. Through the Batters Up USA equipment grant program, local organizations often can obtain sufficient support to add a baseball/softball activity.
AFTER-SCHOOL SPORT
After-school programs are widespread across the country involving millions of boys and girls. While recreation is generally part of the curriculum, a baseball/softball activity usually is not. Our equipment grant program can bridge the gap for many after-school programs to add a baseball/softball activity.
AFTER-SCHOOL BASEBALL/READING CURRICULUM
Batters Up USA® has partnered with the American Baseball Foundation to develop a comprehensive curriculum for a unique combination baseball/reading instructional program. The curriculum consists of five two-hour sessions. One hour of each session is devoted to reading skills using age-appropriate books with baseball subjects. The other hour is spent learning the basic baseball/softball skills and playing recreational level ball games.
Once again, Batters Up USA® contributes the necessary ball equipment. There are expenses associated with the purchase of the reading materials and curriculum.
Corporate Information
Batters Up USA, Inc.® is a non-stock corporation exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Batters Up USA® is governed by its corporate bylaws and annual meeting.
Contact Information & Staff
The following individuals are currently serving as staff on a consulting basis:
Sebastian DiCasoli, Consultant/Administration
P.O. Box 530552, Lake Park, FL 33403
Email: seb02d@yahoo.com
E. Shawn Aylsworth, Consultant/Communications
7509 New Augusta Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268
Email:
esaylsworth@sbcglobal.netJess Heald, Executive Director
Consultant/Programs, Marketing & Fundraising
1014 Paseo Bufalo, Taos, NM 87571
Email: playballusa@msn.com
Batters Up USA’s website is
www.BattersupUSA.org
Board of Directors-2009
Industry Based: Community Based:
Craig Clough, Diamond Sport
E. Shawn Aylsworth, Batters Up USA
Bryan Goins Steve Fornadel, Pennsylvania ASA
Mike May, SGMA Jess Heald, Batters Up USA
Herb Markwort, Markwort Sporting Goods
David Osinski, American Baseball Federation
Ron Radigonda, USA Softball
Mark Patterson, Baseball Express Rick Riccobono, USA Baseball
Sue Wood, Oklahoma City Park & Rec. Dept.
Membership Levels
Membership levels are based upon the following annual minimum cash contributions from an individual or organization:
Friend $25. No Voting Right Silver Sustaining $1,000. Voting Right
Contributor $50. No Voting Right Gold Sustaining $5,000. Voting Right
Supporter $100. No Voting Right Partner $10,000. Voting Right
Steward $500. Voting Right Founder $20,000. Voting Right
Members may have a maximum of one membership per level. Corporate/organization members are represented by a designated person. To be considered a “member in good standing,” renewing membership contribution renewals must be paid no later than April 30 (one-half minimum) and September 30 (balance) of the membership year. To be considered a “new member in good standing,” membership contribution must be paid upon joining or in accordance with the renewing membership schedule, whichever is later.
Membership Application
Membership applications are available on the website page Membership Campaign or by emailing Sebastian DiCasoli.
