By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
August 6, 2010

“I wanted to work on my hitting, pitching and speed,” Jawahn said. “I looked forward to meeting new people and playing games. When I get home, I’m going tell people about what I did and the fun I had. I had a lot of fun playing the games.”

All of the players enjoyed a week of instruction at the last of five week-long Little League Baseball Camp sessions held at Little League International.

All leagues in the Urban Initiative program were invited to nominate up to three players for the scholarship. From that pool, the winners were chosen based upon the nominations. Each nominated player submitted an essay of 300 words or less, describing what playing Little League means to them.

For more than 10 years, the Little League Urban Initiative has created opportunities for children in urban and metropolitan neighborhoods throughout the United States to play Little League in their communities.

 “After talking to the players and hearing what they had to say about coming to summer camp, I’m pleased to say that this first year of the Little League Urban Initiative Summer Camp program has been a positive experience,” Mr. Ervin said. “Allstate Insurance provided the funds that were used for travel expenses, and camp fees, and we anticipate continuing the scholarship program next season. Creating an opportunity for children to experience summer camp helps them enjoy and learn from the game and, in turn, may encourage other leagues to develop programs of their own that will generate the means to send players to future camps.”

A component of Little League Baseball and Softball, the Little League Urban Initiative began in 1999 with programs in Los Angeles and Harlem, N.Y., and expanded to other cities in 2000.

The Little League Urban Initiative is now operating with more than 200 leagues in nearly 85 cities in the United States.

Through the 2009 Little League season, the Little League Urban Initiative has stimulated the participation of 3,901 teams, which equates to approximately 51,000 players, and has participated in nearly 30 field renovation/development projects.

The Little League Urban Initiative program provides assistance packages for eligible leagues that aid the local volunteer group with equipment acquisition, capital improvement cash grants, field development and renovation, access to Little League Baseball and Softball education and training programs, advocacy, and networking.

 

Four Little Leaguers from local leagues chartered through the Little League Urban Initiative, pictured with Demiko Ervin, center, Director of the Little League Urban Initiative, enjoyed a week of Little League Baseball Camp at Little League International in South Williamsport, Pa. Deshaun Montgomery from Chicago, left; Luis Torres from San Diego, second from left; Jawahn Gasque from Newark, N.J., second from right; and Lawton Reel from Tampa, Fla., right; were the first recipients of the League Urban Initiative Baseball Camp Scholarship.