Private, public sector partnership aids West Haven youth development 

By Wick Swanton 

Baseball legends Minnie Minoso of the Chicago White Sox and Al Spearman of the historic Negro Leagues recently joined with West Haven community residents, business leaders, and youngsters to dedicate a new scoreboard and renovated ballpark at Touhy-Herbert Park, 2106 W. Adams St..

The park is home to the newly formed West Haven Baseball Club, a year-round youth development program combining sports and academic tutoring for youngsters ages ten through 15. The club brings Little League baseball back to West Haven for the first time in more than 40 years.

            Initiated by community residents and the Near West Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC), the club has attracted resources from After School Matters, the Local Initiative Support Corp. (LISC)/Chicago, the White Sox, and LaSalle Bank, which funded the park's new scoreboard.

            Minoso praised the program, calling baseball "a great classroom for life. All the things you need to excel in sports are the things you need to excel in life: teamwork, discipline, and the tenacity to work through the rough spots to get where you want to go."

            "We are excited to support West Haven and bring a positive team experience to the children in the community," said Larry D. Richman, president and CEO of LaSalle Bank.

            The NWSCDC and the Sankofa Youth Development Institute, an organization that provides academic enrichment and promotes the history of the Negro Leagues, are partnering to strengthen the club’s developmental mission. Spearman stressed the importance of today's youngsters knowing Negro Leagues history.

            "We believe that the struggles and victories of the Negro Leagues are not simply dead history but a living legacy that we hope will inspire the children of today to strive to make their own mark on life," Spearman said.

            The Chicago Park District paid for improving the ball field; the White Sox paid for equipment; After School Matters provides ongoing funding; and LaSalle Bank paid for uniforms in addition to the scoreboard.

            "We are thrilled and honored to see so many partners and sponsors willing to make our dream of an engaging and beneficial after-school and summer program for children a reality," said Earnest Gates of the NWSCDC. "The West Haven Baseball Club will bring motivation, development, mentoring, teamwork, and countless other life skills to these young boys and girls."

            Members of the NWSCDC worked closely with the Chicago Park District to renovate and maintain the baseball field. The Park District expanded the field and agreed to prepare it with clean bases, freshly cut grass, and painted foul lines before each scheduled game.

"Providing youth with safe places to play and grow is the driving goal of the Chicago Park District," said Arthur Richardson, central region manager for the CPD. "We are excited to provide a renovated field for West Haven and its future all-stars."

            "The West Haven Baseball Club is an original and unique program that brings more than just sports to young people, but also leadership potential and community support," said Andrew Mooney, senior program director for LISC/Chicago. "The support of public and private entities working together for youth in the community proves that change in Chicago's neighborhoods is possible."

            Throughout the summer, West Haven teams will play 26 teams; they also participated in the Negro Leagues tribute at U.S. Cellular Field on June 9.

            The lineup of public and private partners involved in the program consists of After School Matters, the Brinshore-Michaels Development, the Chicago Fire Department, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago White Sox, LaSalle Bank, LISC/Chicago, Louisville Slugger, the Near West Side Community Development Corp., the Negro League Baseball Academy, Old Tymers/Chicago Firefighter, Rush University Medical Center, Sankofa Youth Development Institute, and Wilson Athletic.

            For more information, log on to www.nearwestsidecdc.org or call (312) 738-2308.