Councilmember at Large Arnie Fielkow, the New Orleans Zephyrs and Minor League Baseball™
Announce Exciting Youth Partnership for Summer 2011
May 17, 2011 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans youth will once again spend a week this summer at Minor League Baseball’s Vero Beach Sports Village (VBSV), formerly Dodgertown – the long-time training home for the LA Dodgers and at one time the New Orleans Saints. Councilmember at Large Arnie Fielkow and the New Orleans Zephyrs will identify four youth from the inner city of New Orleans to participate in Minor League Baseball’s first annual Youth Leadership Academy.
The impetus for the Youth Leadership Academy was a similar program executed last summer when MiLB Charities contacted Fielkow about a camp for 40 New Orleans youth at VBSV. Fielkow, a former President of the Double-A Southern League, raised funding and enlisted the help of the New Orleans Public Library to locate 40 youth to participate in the weeklong, all-expenses paid recreational and educational trip to VBSV.
This year, MiLB Charities will provide the funding for all 36 participants from nine different Minor League Baseball cities. The academy will include influential speakers from the baseball world and beyond in an effort to enhance and enrich the participants’ academic achievements as well as expose participants to life skills training, positive peer development, career opportunities, personal development and health and wellness.
“I am an avid supporter of recreational opportunities for New Orleans youth, and Minor League Baseball continues to be a great partner,” said Councilmember Fielkow. “Not only will a handful of our youth be offered this once in a lifetime opportunity at VBSV, but this summer, for the fourth year in a row, I am bringing 240 New Orleans youth to Birmingham, AL for a MiLB game and day of Civil Rights history. These opportunities that are outside the City of New Orleans widen the horizons of our youth and greatly enhance their futures” continued Fielkow.
“The Youth Leadership Academy evolved out of our positive experience with the New Orleans youths in 2010,” Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner said. “We are thrilled that the Zephyrs and Councilman Fielkow are once again partnering with us to not only provide deserving youth with this memorable experience, but to develop future leaders within our communities.”
The New Orleans Zephyrs General Manager Mike Schline added: “The Zephyrs organization is excited about the opportunity to team up with Minor League Baseball and the City of New Orleans in providing a once in a lifetime unforgettable opportunity to some of our communities’ youth, baseball fans and hopefully Zephyrs of tomorrow.”
About Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., is the governing body for all professional baseball teams in the United States, Canada, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic that are affiliated with Major League Baseball clubs through their farm systems. The Mexican League and Mexican Academy are also members of the organization, but are not affiliated with any MLB clubs. Total membership includes 20 leagues and 246 clubs.
Fans are coming out in unprecedented numbers to this one-of-a-kind experience that can only be found at our ballparks. In 2010, the 176 clubs that charge admission attracted more than 41.4 million fans to their ballparks to see the future stars of the sport hone their skills. From the electricity in the stands to the excitement on the field, Minor League Baseball has provided affordable family-friendly entertainment to people of all ages since its founding in 1901.
For more information about Minor League Baseball, visit www.milb.com http://www.facebook.com/minorleaguebaseball http://twitter.com/MinorLeagues
Contact:
Danielle Viguerie
Office of Councilmember-at-Large Arnie Fielkow
Ph: 504-658-1063
daviguerie@nola.gov
Steve Densa
Executive Director, Communications
Minor League Baseball
Ph: 727-456-1703
sdensa@milb.com
