Initiative extends Eielson glove to youth baseball community

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Baseball Hall of Famer Babe Ruth said, "I won't be happy until we have every boy in America between the ages of six and 16 wearing a glove and swinging a bat."

The 354th Force Support Squadron and community partners from the surrounding area are contributing toward this dream with a program as part of the Air Force Community Partnership Initiative.

With a new addition to the program nine to 16 year old youth interested in baseball will have year-round access to the age old sport. Military youth now have access to reduced cost league play in Fairbanks while the base is now inviting civilian and military youth to participate in 10 fundamental baseball clinics at the Baker Field House here.

"This program will provide a fun, safe, rewarding and low cost indoor youth sports activity for kids during the winter, and this program has the potential to attract more families to participate in baseball," said Charlotte Lewis, the 354th FSS chief of the Airman & Family Services flight. "Youth baseball is a great opportunity to establish a long-term positive relationship between Eielson and the community where winter youth sports activities in the Baker Field House are routinely scheduled and welcomed."


Lewis said this is also an excellent opportunity for Airmen to get involved on the coaching side of the field.

"Youth baseball is a great opportunity for new and experienced coaches to participate, and team-minded parents are always in demand," she said. "We suspect there are more than a few Airmen who are ballplayers, who just might find that coaching kids is a refreshing outlet."

The goal of the Community Partnership Initiative is to enable the installation and surrounding community to bridge resources. Representatives from the base and local agencies join forces to discover common resources that work for the improvement of the Fairbanks North Star Borough and  military communities. These program improvements result in reduced cost, a shared vision and improved quality of life for military families.

"The idea going in, which no-doubt will evolve as we work through this process, is that the local community will be able to use our youth fields while they allow Eielson to be a part of their leagues at a reduced cost for military children," Lewis said.

The current session of clinics has plenty of space for those interested. For more information go to the Interior Baseball League Website or contact Ted Lowery at 377-3194.