MAYOR EMANUEL JOINS YOUTH BASEBALL, SOFTBALL TEAMS AT UIC
TO KICK OFF SECOND DAY OF CITYWIDE TOURNAMENT
First citywide tournament in decades made possible by Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Michael Kelly, Aldermen Patrick Daley Thompson and Danny Solis, and representatives from the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox today joined community members and youth baseball and softball teams to kick off the second day of the first annual citywide baseball and softball tournament in decades. This tournament is made possible through donations made by the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox.
“Tens of thousands of Chicago kids play baseball and softball in Chicago’s parks, but there hasn’t been a citywide baseball or softball tournament in decades,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I’m pleased that Chicago’s major league baseball teams have come together to create an opportunity for kids from neighborhoods across the city compete with their peers; this tournament complements the capital investments we’ve been making in parks to enrich the quality of life of all Chicagoans.”
This year’s tournament, held at UIC, hosts 30 youth baseball teams and six youth softball teams; admission to all games is free. First round match-ups will provide opportunities for leagues from throughout the city to compete, with a post-game meal provided to strengthen relationships between kids and communities. The championship game for both the softball and baseball tournaments will be held at 4 pm Sunday.
Tonight’s games will conclude with a viewing of The Sandlot, a classic youth baseball movie, in Curtis Granderson Stadium at dusk; admission to the movie is also free.
As announced last year by the Mayor and the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox provided $250,000 each – a total of a half of a million dollars – to allow for an expansion of baseball and softball programming. This five year commitment by the Cubs and White Sox, in partnership with the Chicago Parks Foundation, has allowed for the establishment of this annual-city-wide baseball and softball tournament.
For more information, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312.742.PLAY, 312.747.2001 (TTY).
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The Chicago Park District is the 2014 Gold Medal Award winner, recognized for excellence in park and recreation management across the nation. For more information about the Chicago Park District’s more than 8,300 acres of parkland, 585 parks, 26 miles of lakefront, 12 museums, two world-class conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, nearly 50 nature areas, thousands of special events, sports and entertaining programs, please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or contact the Chicago Park District at 312/742.PLAY or 312/747.2001 (TTY). Want to share your talent? Volunteer in the parks by calling, 312/742.PLAY.
