PIFBS Disaster Relief Fund

In June 2016, massive flooding in West Virginia caused by more than 10 inches of rain within a 24 hour span destroyed thousands of homes and displaced entire communities.  Within the destruction, schools were condemned and local youth baseball and softball organizations lost everything including equipment, concession stands, and fields.

Pitch In For Baseball was contacted by groups in West Virginia struggling to make 2017 baseball and softball seasons possible for hundreds of children.  In June 2016, massive flooding caused by more than 10 inches of rain within a 24 hour span destroyed thousands of homes and displaced entire communities.  Nearly 8 months later, communities in West Virginia are still assessing the damage and working to secure resources to rebuild.  Within the destruction, schools were condemned and local youth baseball and softball organizations lost everything including equipment, concession stands, and fields.

With the support of the broader community, the Baseball Center in New York City, and the Tull Foundation, we were able to help all teams replace all of the lost equipment.

Herbert Hoover High School - Baseball and Softball

June's flooding caused so much destruction that district and city officials questioned whether Herbert Hoover High School would be able to open in the fall.  FEMA condemned the building and Herbert Hoover High School is operating out of temporary facilities out of the local middle school.  Both the baseball and softball teams lost everything - from playing equipment to field equipment to concession stands.  PIFB was able to replenish the lost equipment, allowing school officials to focus on securing other essentials.

White Sulphur Little League

White Sulphur Little League’s baseball fields were submerged under 5 feet of water for several weeks.  Their equipment shed was swept away and they were unable to salvage anything other than some rakes and shovels.  WSLL has 5 teams and includes 60 children between the ages of 5 and 13.  PIFB provided 5 team kits to fully rebuild the lost equipment, totaling nearly $9,000.  Equipment will be distributed in mid-March.

Clendenin Little League

June's flooding severely damaged Clendenin Little League's field and field house and wiped out all of the equipment.  A league of 150 kids and 12 teams were in jeopardy of not having a season.  PIFB is in the process of working with Clendenin LL to finalize their equipment needs.  In the coming weeks, PIFB will secure the new equipment to rebuild their program and coordinate delivery so that kids can play ball this season.

Pitch In For Baseball was founded in 2005, shortly after Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast, leaving in her wake a trail of devastation and loss.  It was at that time that we were sitting in the Little League offices as they were trying to figure out how to respond to and support Gulf Coast leaguest that had lost all of their equipment.  Disaster Relief programs have remained central to our organization.  Over the past 10+ years, we have helped hundreds of kids in nearly two dozen communities start their seasons on time.

Mid-way through 2016, PIFB received requests from three communities - Houston, Baton Rouge, and West Virginia - that had been devastated by flooding.  We were able to secure funding to cover the cost to replace all equipment for Houston and West Virginia but only partial for Baton Rouge.  Funds raised through GlobalGiving will help to support our proect in Baton Rouge specifically.

Our Baton Rouge Disaster Relief Project will support 4 teams in 3 schools (St. Amant HS Baseball/Softball, Denham Springs Softball, Runnels HS Baseball), replacing all the gear lost to the floods.  The estimated cost for the program is $18,000 and we have raised roughly $8,000.