Arizona.Diamondbacks.MLB.com

D-backs give thanks throughout 2009

• fan comments
• print this page
• e-mail this page
• post on facebook

By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

11/25/09 4:00 PM EST

PHOENIX -- It is no secret that things did not go the way the Arizona Diamondbacks hoped they would in 2009.

More links • Giving thanks • Missing voices • MLB in the Community • MLBgobeyond.com Club stories ¬ -- AL EAST ¬ Blue Jays Orioles Rays Red Sox Yankees -- AL CENTRAL ¬ Indians Royals Tigers Twins White Sox -- AL WEST ¬ Angels Athletics Mariners Rangers -- NL EAST ¬ Braves Marlins Mets Nationals Phillies -- NL CENTRAL ¬ Astros Brewers Cardinals Cubs Pirates Reds -- NL WEST ¬ D-backs Dodgers Giants Padres Rockies

On the field, the team finished in last place in the National League West, while off it, revenues were down as a result of the sluggish economy.

One thing that did not slump, though, was the club's continued contributions to the community.

"Even though we fell short of our revenue goals this year, we are not going to make the community suffer for that," D-backs team president and CEO Derrick Hall said. "Our commitment to contribute to the community will be there no matter what. This is the time when people need it the most and we're going to be there for them."

The most unique of the programs is the team's Season Ticket Scholarship Program, which grants full season tickets including parking, and in some cases food vouchers, for fans who can no longer afford their tickets.

The program is the first of its kind in professional sports, and in 2009, 18 families received a total of 41 lower-bowl season tickets valued at nearly $100,000. In the program's first two years, approximately $150,000 worth of tickets have been given out to 42 families.

Making the phone calls to those who are granted the scholarship is the most enjoyable part of the offseason for Hall.

"We anticipate giving away nearly twice as many scholarships this year as we did last year," Hall said. "It's a great program and we want to do everything we possibly can for our fans who are struggling. It's truly made a difference in people's lives."

Fans in financial need can fill out an online application. This year's deadline is 12 p.m. MST on Nov. 30.

The ticket scholarship program is just one of the ways the D-backs made a difference in the community in 2009. The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation has donated more than $15.5 million back into the local community since its inception in 1997 and plans to donate more than $2.5 million to nonprofit organizations in 2010. That's more than all of the other professional sports teams in Phoenix combined.

The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation focuses its efforts on three main areas of need: homelessness, indigent healthcare and children's programs of all types, including education and youth baseball field development.

The following are some of the foundation's programs:

Evening on the Diamond
Now in its fourth year, "Evening on the Diamond" was headlined in 2009 by comedy legend Bill Cosby. The event, which has raised nearly $4 million for the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, will be held in 2010 on April 1 at Chase Field.

The Evening on the Diamond includes a cocktail party and dinner on the Chase Field diamond attended by many of the Valley's philanthropists and corporations. Selected D-backs and coaches sit with guests at selected tables.

D-backs License Plates
Former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano made the D-backs' license plate program possible after signing House Bill 2727 on Aug. 11, 2006. Senate President Ken Bennett also participated in making the program possible, which became law on Sept. 21, 2006. The license plates hit the streets in spring 2007.

'Diamonds Back' Field Building Program
The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation's cornerstone of giving is the "Diamonds Back" Field Building Program. The fields are built through the aid of corporate partners APS and Summit Builders, local businesses, funds from the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and monetary donations from individual players and owners.

Fields include a backstop, full fencing, dugouts, bleachers, bullpens, irrigation, fully turfed playing surfaces, warning tracks, electric scoreboards, scorer's tables, storage units and lighting systems.

One of the more unique and notable fields constructed by the program is the $3.7 million four-field Diamondbacks Youth Complex at the Reach 11 sports complex in North Phoenix, which was dedicated in 2007. The complex includes two adaptive fields and two Little League fields for youth experiencing a disability and able-bodied children to play and learn baseball side-by-side. The Reach League, comprised of several teams filled with disabled youths aged 6-16, began play on the adaptive fields, made with a synthetic surface called Tot Turf, immediately after they opened in the fall of 2007.

Eric Byrnes Field in Phoenix, which was renamed Saulo Morris Field by Byrnes during the dedication earlier this year, was the 29th youth field either constructed or refurbished by the field building program in Arizona since 2000.

Grand Slam Awards & Program Grants
Established in 2002, the Grand Slam Award is designed to make a considerable impact on community organizations by providing a grant of $100,000. In addition to the Grand Slam Award, the D-backs Foundation contributes more than $250,000 annually to support community programs throughout Arizona with grants awarded in amounts from $1,000 to $5,000.

Military Appreciation Day
The D-backs honored past and present members of the armed forces when they host Military Appreciation Day. A number of military groups and personnel participated in pregame ceremonies and were recognized throughout the game.

United Way Campaign
The D-backs gave $212,500 to 24 Valley-based children's nonprofit organizations through Valley of the Sun United Way, by donating $2.50 from every ticket purchased to the final 15 home games of the 2009 season at Chase Field. The donation also included a personal match from D-backs' managing general partner Ken Kendrick and funds raised from the team's annual "Shirts Off Our D-backs" event during the final weekend series of the season. Included in the donation was $25,000 given to Valley of the Sun United Way's "Results That Matter" Community Fund program, which provides vital funding to ensure youth succeed, among other key community objectives such as ensuring neighborhoods are vital and safe, increasing the financial stability of individuals and ending hunger and homelessness.

Winter Classic
The D-backs have been hosting the Winter Classic for underprivileged children at Chase Field since the team's inception in 1998. Beginning in 2005, though, the team decided to do even more for the participating children. For the past three years, D-backs employees have provided new pairs of athletic shoes for the holidays at the event.

Each youngster has the opportunity for a picture with Santa Claus and a D-backs player and to receive a toy. At the food station, the kids get to sample ballpark fare and eat at picnic tables. At the music station, they have the chance to expend some energy by participating in a variety of upbeat dances emceed by a DJ. At the shoe station, each child receives a new pair of shoes and has an opportunity to talk to and receive autographs from D-backs players and coaches.

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.