Big 5, CBS EcoMedia Join Forces To Donate To Compton Baseball Academy

COMPTON (CBSLA.com) — Hundreds of high school and collegiate ballplayers are getting new uniforms and equipment thanks to Big 5's participation in CBS EcoMedia's advertising program.

The items are being donated to help the more than 600 players expected to participate in this summer's Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton.

"We are very grateful for the financial support Big 5 Sporting Goods has offered our young men and women," said Don Buford, Manager of the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton. "We know our ballplayers can compete and belong at the highest levels in baseball and softball, but now with these new uniforms and equipment, they will look the part as well."

"Big 5 Sporting Goods is thrilled to have this unique opportunity to provide funding and new baseball equipment to the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton," said Rick Gridley, Public Affairs Director for Big 5 Sporting Goods. "We recognize the community benefits of youth sports programs and the importance of supporting MLB Urban Youth Academy's quest to promote youth baseball and softball skills development in Southern California."

The Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy is staffed by former major and minor league players, instructors, collegiate coaches, scouts and certified athletic trainers. It has two MLB-sized fields consisting of one show field, one auxiliary field and two youth fields to facilitate youth baseball and girl's softball.

The donations – which include $5,000 as well as equipment – were made possible by Big 5's purchase of an EcoMedia Wellness Ad on CBS Radio.