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By Emily Procratsky
Greenfield Baseball Association would like to thank all the players, coaches, leaders, family members and community supporters who made 2023 such an amazing year! The oldest operating community baseball league in the city, GBA is proud to have continued a great tradition this year while growing and expanding opportunities for our players. We gathered to celebrate at events like All-Star Day, where we dedicated the new lights at Hammer Field. Our players recorded impressive
achievements and wins across tournaments and during our regular in-house season. Most of all, we provided a safe space for our kids to grow as players and citizens. This is possible thanks to the support of our generous donors, community advocates and dedicated volunteer leaders. Here is GBA’s 2023 by the numbers:
1 incredible year
2 teams playing championship games at PNC Park (10U RBI Champs; Colt Runners-up)
3 winter clinic programs for ages 3-18
4 players in the Pirates 18U RBI World Series championship in Florida
5 families honored through tournament and trophy dedications
6 community fields used for practices and games
7 first-place summer tournament wins for 8U, 10U and 12U
7 super colt players who graduated high school
8 games played every spring Saturday at Hammer
9: Age of the oldest player on the Minors champions Royals Team
10 board members who met bi-weekly and led the league year-round
11 p.m.: The time the new lights at Hammer shut off
12: Age of the oldest player on the Little League Champion Pirates Team
13 fall ball teams (T-ball through Pony)
14 large trays of complementary food for families on Trophy Day
15: Special jersey number and player honored in the Fight Like 15 Tournament
33 spring team sponsors and contributors
43 fall ball games
50+ coaches
70 care packages packed and donated on Clemente Day
72 years of GBA tradition honored at All-Star Day
124 fall ball players
256 spring season players
300+ attendees at inaugural Halloween at Hammer event
600+ flowers sold to celebrate Family Day and Baseball Moms
800+ pop stand shifts
Hundreds of hours of play on the field (and loads of laundry)
Thousands of dollars donated and fundraised, all dutifully allocated to benefit the players
Innumerable memories for kids and families
GBA is not slowing down. Registration for the spring 2024 season is now open for committed players ages 3-18. We offer the lowest prices around for a quality program because we believe all children deserve the chance to grow their love of the game. The Black Friday $10 discount will run through Dec. 9. Register online at www.gfbaseball.org and email turkgba1951@gmail.com with questions.
Emily Procratsky is the media coordinator for the Greenfield Baseball Association.