Play Ball Indy

By Milton Thompson

Perhaps you caught the front page article in the July edition of the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) about a “Diamond in the Rough.” It is an article about the development plans of a local non-profit, the Indiana Amateur Baseball Association which does business under the name of “Play Ball Indiana.” The plan calls for the building of baseball and softball diamonds with other amenities in the heart of the city of Indianapolis pursuant to a grant of land to the organization from the Citizens Energy Group. It was a vision of mine nearly thirty years ago when I co-founded the organization to create meaningful programs for children in Indiana using the wonderful summertime activity of baseball as the platform.

Our organization started small and grew quickly. It grew too quickly and became its intended launch for competitive baseball but also outgrew its other intended purposes to expose the opportunity to those who perhaps lacked the means to join the competition. We were leaving out kids who could benefit most from our program. We took corrective action with the help of committed individuals, companies, and foundations to create “Inner City Baseball and Softball” for the underserved. This direction culminated in a relationship with Major League baseball and its’ RBS program (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) in 1997. Since then, we have seen an incredible growth in activity for those boys and girls to not only play, but to be mentored by outstanding coaches and other supportive adults. The “Citizen’s Field of Dreams” when completed will further extend opportunities for children in and around our new facility.

Of course, the complex is still only an unrealized dream until we can secure the financial resources to build and maintain the facilities at a first class level.

This is a truly remarkable opportunity and will not only cement “Play Baseball Indiana” as a permanent community development resource, but will enable our children a chance to learn and grow in character through the great teachings of the game of baseball. Please help us see this vision through.