Featured Sports Facility: World Baseball Outreach
I recently met Jerry Jacobson. His organization, World Baseball Outreach, just started using eSoft Planner scheduling and management software, the program my company developed for sports facilities. Upon discussing the scheduling needs of his nonprofit baseball facility, I was impressed with his vision and with how focused he is on helping others.
I’ve talked before about how connecting your sports facility to the community by donating time and energy to worthy causes benefits for all parties involved. Also, it produces valuable marketing opportunities, even when marketing is not the main goal of your efforts.
The Impact of World Baseball Outreach
With World Baseball Outreach, Jerry is determined to help kids’ self-esteem and establish positive role models for them. The World Baseball Outreach web site details how the sport of baseball provided a much needed source of happiness and a feeling of belonging for Jerry himself as he was growing up. In turn, he makes a special effort to encourage the kids he coaches today.
World Baseball Outreach has collected and sent baseball supplies to U.S. troops stationed overseas. They also send them to children in the U.S. and abroad who can’t afford their own equipment. World Baseball Outreach’s physical baseball facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma provides free clinics to kids in their community. In addition, their staff makes missions trips to the Dominican Republic and other countries, as well.
Sports facility employees across the country often opt to donate time and energy to worthy causes. Volunteering can be an uplifting experience for you and your staff. In addition, it always has a positive effect on your sports facility’s brand. WBO is a good example of what can happen when a sports facility owner aligns his passions for sport and for helping others.
WBO’s Mission (from their web site):
Our Objective is to secure funding for World Baseball Outreach to: a) actively engage and spark a new excitement in our youth. b) Equip our youth with Christ-like values, strong leadership skills and enduring relationships through our Christian mentors. c) Provide inner city youth baseball/softball clinics. d) Build and help maintain playing fields to provide a safe and fun playing environment. e) Provide baseball or softball equipment to everyone in need.
