Despite Sagging Economy, Sponsors Support League

On Saturday, more than 1,700 youngsters will take the baseball fields to celebrate opening day for Redlands Baseball for Youth.

And as they have for years, working quietly behind the scenes there are unsung heroes who prove true the cliché of the pen being mightier. They are the more than two dozen sponsors in and around the Redlands area who have written out checks for thousands to support the league.

“It takes a lot to keep the league running,” said Rick McBride, a board member with the league. Sponsors provide much of the materials that volunteers need to make sure the fields are in working order and make minor repairs on the park's facilities, he said.

The city requires RBY to invest a minimum of $18,000 a year in the park just to use it, according to the league’s website. The city mows the outfields and waters the grass, because they are also used as a park.

“The rest is up to us,” league officials said.

To keep up, the league's registration fees start at roughly $95 for registration, or below cost what it costs the league per player. When equipment, scorekeepers, trophies and facility improvements are factored in, the cost per player is roughly $182.

“If every kid had to pay the full costs you probably would not have 1,700 kids playing,” said Neal Waner, CFP. A financial adviser, Waner is also a board member with Redlands Unified School District.

He serves on the boards of several charitable organizations and said he sees the positive impact the youth leagues have on the youngsters, but also the financial challenges businesses have.

“Donations to any charity are frankly discretionary,” Waner said. “(All charities) are down donations because discretionary spending is down everywhere.”

“RBY does a really good job to close that gap between what it really costs to play for every kid to play and what a parent has to write in the form of a check,” he added.

To ease some of the burden with the trophy expense, Dale Andrews with D&L Awards is donating awards.

“You’ve got to do it,” Andrews said. While sponsorship does provide the opportunity of getting a businesses' name out and show people craftsmanship, the true purpose is serving the community and helping the league, he said.

D&L has only been in business for about eight months, Andrews said. He’s been in the trophy making business for 30 years.

“It’s just a joy to see the children's joy,” Andrews said. “Even giving out the award ... when they see an award. It makes my day.”

The league kicks off its season Saturday at Community Park. A pancake breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies start at 10 a.m.

Current league sponsors include:

• Beaver Medical
• CHE Investments
• Uncle Howie's Pizza
• Meerkat Salvage Machining
• Shakey's Pizza
• Eason Family Trust
• P & R Paper Supply
• D & L Awards
• Stubblefield Construction
• Tim Coleman-BNSF Railway
• Neal Waner CFP
• Verizon
• California Steel Industries
• Schroeder Iron
• Fontana Police Officers Assoc
• Southwest School & Office Supply
• Dr Douty & Family
• Mabel Aguayo
• Simply Toyota
• Redlands Professional Firefighters
• Heinrich & Paulson Orthodontics
• Ahern Adcock Devlin, CPA Firm
• Brian Arbeiter/Wells Fargo
• Ashley Furniture Home Store