The Cincinnati Reds are currently looking for college students to help the Reds Community Fund by volunteering to become coaches in the organization’s youth baseball league. The Fourth Annual Reds Rookie Success League is two six-week long non-competitive, coed, character-building summer baseball camps for at-risk kids. These children range from 8-11 years old. Last year over 500 children attended, according to Ryan Gray, spokesperson for the group. Over 100 volunteers helped out throughout the summer.
Participating children receive free medical and vision screenings, Gray said, including six weeks of mentoring and baseball instruction, visits from Reds players and coaches, and a celebration at Great American Ball Park during a Reds game. Transportation, lunch, uniforms and equipment are also provided. Individuals who volunteer also receive a free coach’s jersey and hat.
The first camp begins on June 27 and ends Aug. 3. The second camp will be held from July 5 through Aug. 11. Volunteers are asked to commit to two days a week and two hours per day. Coaching staffs are usually made up of a group of friends between 3-6 individuals to guarantee one coach will always be there. “It’s always a lot of fun for both the kids and the volunteers,” Gray said.
The Cincinnati Reds Community Fund was founded in 2001 as the Reds community service division. The first event was the 5k “Redlegs Run for Home,” which is still going strong, Gray said. Since then, the group has started dozens of events per year with proceeds going to charity. These events include Baseball 101 Luncheons for Ladies, Inside Baseball, Father’s Day Catch, and many more.
“Players and coaches are always willing to help in any way possible,” Gray added.