Rec Sports

Letters: Penn State Cancer Institute’s Failed Leadership; Stand Up for Community by Supporting WPSU

Published

1 month ago

November 27, 2025

Vindication tastes bitter when it comes at such a cost, but the record must now show: every alarm I sounded was justified.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, Spotlight PA exposed a damning internal review of the Penn State Cancer Institute: chemotherapy overdoses, treatment delays that let cancers spread unchecked, incomplete patient records, and a toxic workplace driving mass exodus of doctors and staff.

For years, Penn State continued to focus on attempts to achieve a designation that would serve as a ‘gold star on their lapel’ rather than prioritizing patient care, despite numerous concerns being raised both internally and externally. Now, just one day after publication of this expose on Nov. 21, Raymond Hohl resigned as director. Too little, too late, and please note Penn State did not fire him.

Penn State’s response? A deflection: “We believe the reporting by this outlet is based almost entirely on materials more than two years old and it does not provide an accurate representation of Penn State Cancer Institute (PSCI) as it exists today. During the last two years—we have made significant changes to PSCI’s leadership, staffing, operations, clinical capabilities and research processes.” Yet the facts remain: patient harm, buried reports and ongoing risks tell a different story.

As outlined in these reports, the suffering inflicted on patients, families and staff is unconscionable.

In 2024, as the lone dissenting voice on the Penn State Board of Trustees, I demanded information about the situation at Penn State Health’s Hershey Medical Center, including the Cancer Institute’s pursuit of the national cancer center designation and its disastrously mismanaged transplant center, now shuttered (read my meeting report with my full quotes at barryfenchak.com/my-comments-from-the-penn-state-board-of-trustees-meeting-may-3-2024 ).

The events of last week are a grim validation of every warning I sounded. I stood alone, and my repeated requests for information about the Cancer Institute were stonewalled. As Spotlight PA now reveals, the explosive December 2022 report documenting those failures, and containing much of the information I had requested, had already landed on President Neeli Bendapudi’s desk and was being deliberately withheld from most trustees, and shared only with a select few in leadership who chose to bury it rather than act.

These failures have exacted a brutal toll: lives endangered, Penn State’s reputation shredded and the potential for multimillion-dollar lawsuits looming. I cast the sole NO vote against the Penn State Health Board of Directors reappointments of Bendapudi, Board Chair David Kleppinger, and former trustees Keith Masser, Steve Wagman and Mark Dambly. They all knew, or should have known, these details. They are still on the board of Penn State Health.

When I raised alarms both in private and public sessions, my fellow board members stared like I’d grown three heads, then rubber-stamped the appointments without deliberation or debate. Even now, their dismissive statement tries to sweep years of mismanagement under the rug.

Make no mistake: lives hang in the balance and I take no pleasure in being proven right at such terrible cost. This isn’t about a poorly managed endowment or questionable ticket deals (both of which have meaningful negative impacts on the university and its stakeholders). It is the sacred duty of university governance to safeguard patient’s safety and the institution’s mission. This Board’s loss of institutional control may place Penn State in danger of perilous financial calamity.

They voted me off the board last June for my diligence and devotion to duty, and for asking too many tough questions. Vindication tastes bitter when it comes at such a cost, but the record must now show: every alarm I sounded was justified.

Now is the time for real accountability, not excuses. The Penn State community deserves better. Patients deserve better.

Barry Fenchak
State College
Former Penn State Trustee

Stand Up for Your Community. Support WPSU

Residents of Central and Northern Pennsylvania are at risk of losing access to the first class news and entertainment WPSU has provided them for more than 70 years.

WPSU now faces a turning point. With Penn State withdrawing funding for the station, alternative sources of funding are necessary to keep this essential public service alive.

Fortunately, a solution is available. WHYY has offered a bold and compassionate plan to acquire WPSU—and, crucially, to maintain it as the independent, community-driven public media service that our region deserves. It’s not a takeover; it’s a partnership between WHYY and WPSU committed to safeguarding local programming and providing free non-commercial media to our region.

This joint venture will ensure that:
•    Local journalism remains rooted in Central and Northern Pennsylvania,
•    Educational, informational and entertainment programming is available for all ages.
•    Community voices are heard through independent, non-commercial radio and television.
•    WPSU maintains its independent identity, strengthened by WHYY’s support.

The plan’s success depends on people like you—people who know that public media keeps communities strong through information and connection, that democracy depends on education.

Stand up for your community by supporting this venture.
• Donate. Visit wpsu.org/donate to make your gift. Money goes exclusively to WPSU for its operation and sustainability, keeping WPSU strong, local and independent—now and into the future.
• Advocate. Spread the word to others who also believe in the power of public media.
• Educate. Visit wpsu.org to discover how WPSU is strengthened by this partnership with WHYY.

Mary Bruce Serene
State College

Shop Local and Inspire the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

As the holiday season begins, Main Streets across America are coming alive with lights, decorations and the energy of small businesses preparing for one of the most important shopping weekends of the year. Small Business Saturday (SBS) is one of my favorite times of the year. Occurring right after Thanksgiving, it not only celebrates time with family and friends but also officially kicks off the holiday shopping season.

This Small Business Saturday, I encourage everyone to take a break from online clicks and big-box stores and turn their attention to the small, local businesses that keep our communities vibrant.

When you shop locally, you’re doing more than buying the perfect gift for grandma — you’re investing in your neighbors, your community and the future of entrepreneurship. When you shop locally your dollar recirculates through your local economy two to four times more than money spent at a non-local company. As your dollar moves through your community it helps to create jobs, support youth sports teams and sustain the local character that makes each of our towns unique. Many communities have embraced SBS as a vital way to support their small businesses and help revitalize their downtowns. I have seen successful communities’ partner with local businesses for marketing co-ops, develop creative marketing plans including contests and even include pop-up retail to attract more visitors and shoppers.

This year, I want to highlight two aspects of Small Business Saturday that are near and dear to my heart: pop-up retail and youth entrepreneurship.

Across our region, more and more entrepreneurs — especially young people — are testing their ideas through temporary retail spaces, pop-up shops and local vendor markets. These short-term opportunities allow aspiring business owners to reach customers, build a following and gain real-world experience without the high cost or long-term commitment of a traditional storefront.

For school aged students, pop-up retail offers a powerful learning experience — turning creativity and classroom lessons into hands-on business practice. Whether they’re selling handmade crafts, baked goods, tech gadgets, or clothing designs, these young entrepreneurs are building confidence, community connections and the skills that fuel lifelong success.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is proud to support this new generation of innovators. Through our network of Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE mentors and Veterans Business Outreach Centers, we help entrepreneurs of all ages access capital, training and mentorship. For youth and first-time founders, these resources can turn a weekend pop-up idea into a thriving year-round business.

This Small Business Saturday, I encourage local chambers of commerce, downtown organizations and community leaders to open their doors to pop-up markets and youth-run ventures. Make space for creativity and give our young entrepreneurs a platform to shine.

In closing I want to ask shoppers to please consider spending part of your weekend exploring your neighborhood small businesses, local pop-ups or student-run booths. Every small purchase you make sends a powerful message of belief and encouragement to the next generation of business leaders.

Jim Spencer
U.S. Small Business Administration Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator

Common Sense

Thomas Paine served the revolutionary founders and colonial citizens well as they went about throwing off an autocrat. Citizens should read “Common Sense” and the “Crisis Papers” to remind themselves what colonists had in mind as they put their lives and fortunes on the line for liberty.

Ultimately, free speech, free press, the right to assemble, due process under law and checks and balances in government were the fundamentals in their view of the future for all people. Also, among those expectations, the right to pursue happiness, unfettered by systemic constraints.

Paine said, “One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings, is that nature disproves it, otherwise she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule, by giving mankind an ass for a lion.” “Most wise men in their private sentiments have ever treated hereditary right with contempt; yet it is one of those evils which when once established is not easily removed: many submit from fear, others from superstition, and the more powerful part shares with the king the plunder of the rest.”

Citizens of The United States of America disallowed this kind of servitude nearly 250 years ago. In that time, we have pushed forward the basic premise that all people are created equal but have failed to remove the systemic ceilings preventing some from achieving that equality. Let’s continue working in a positive direction. We are so much better when we all have freedom to improve ourselves and promote the common good.

Tim Cowan
Julian

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Rec Sports

Proposed Wisconsin Complex Would Bring 155,000 Square Feet of Indoor Turf to Big Bend

Published

1 hour ago

January 1, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Key Takeaways

Breck Athletic Complex would include 155,000 square feet of indoor turf for year-round baseball, soccer, and lacrosse training in southeastern Wisconsin
The 42-acre project features 20+ outdoor fields across baseball, softball, soccer, futsal, and lacrosse
National tournament operators have committed to 25-30 year lease agreements, according to the developer
SC Wave, a Milwaukee Wave-affiliated soccer club, is named as a key tenant seeking a permanent home
A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 29 before the Big Bend Village Board and Plan Commission

Multi-Sport Destination Planned for Agricultural Land

A proposal to convert 42 acres of farmland in Big Bend, Wisconsin into a regional youth sports destination is advancing through the local approval process. Eric Weishaar, owner and developer of Breck Athletic Complex, presented plans to the Big Bend Plan Commission in November.

The project would require amending the village’s comprehensive plan to change the land designation from Medium Density Residential to Commercial. A joint public hearing between the Village Board and Plan Commission is set for Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.

“This is going to be the first, really of its kind in the area. It’s going to be the biggest in the area, probably almost in the state,” Weishaar said during the November meeting.

Facility Breakdown and Phased Construction

The development would include six turf baseball fields, a championship baseball field with plaza seating, seven full-size soccer fields, three futsal fields, and four lacrosse fields. The 155,000-square-foot indoor facility would support year-round training across multiple sports.

Supporting amenities include concessions, restrooms, playgrounds, fitness trails, and plazas. The site plan also incorporates commercial outlots along Highway 164 for a craft bar/restaurant, banquet hall, hotel, gas station, and future retail.

Construction is planned across eight phases. Soccer fields would come first, with a potential opening as early as spring 2026 if ground breaks this coming spring. Baseball and softball fields are targeted for spring 2027 to give tournament operators lead time for scheduling.

Long-Term Tenants Already Committed

Weishaar told commissioners that national tournament operators have committed to lease agreements spanning 25 to 30 years. SC Wave, affiliated with the Milwaukee Wave professional soccer organization, is also identified as a key partner.

“They rent places, spaces from all over the place, and they really want to consolidate. They’re actually pretty anxious to announce in their club, hey everybody, we’re going to have a permanent home,” Weishaar said.

The complex is expected to draw teams from outside Wisconsin for weekend-long tournaments, creating demand for nearby lodging and dining.

Community Compatibility a Focus

Developers emphasized that the facility would use modern LED field lighting designed to minimize light spill into nearby residential areas. Tournaments are expected to conclude by 10 or 11 p.m.

“This is not something that is going on all night,” Weishaar said.

The project still requires zoning and site plan approvals. Developers have asked local officials whether the review process can be expedited to meet tenant timelines.

If approved, Breck Athletic Complex would join a growing list of large-scale youth sports facilities positioning themselves as regional tournament destinations. The combination of indoor and outdoor capacity, long-term operator commitments, and adjacent commercial development reflects a model increasingly favored by developers seeking year-round revenue streams.

via: GM Today

photo: Courtesy of Village of Big Bend

YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.

About Youth Sports Business Report

Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.

Our core mission: Make Youth Sports Better. As the leading authority in youth sports business reporting, we deliver unparalleled coverage of sports business trends, youth athletics, and emerging opportunities across the youth sports ecosystem.

Our expert editorial team provides authoritative, in-depth reporting on key youth sports industry verticals including:

Sports sponsorship and institutional capital (Private Equity, Venture Capital)
Youth Sports events and tournament management
NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) developments and compliance
Youth sports coaching and sports recruitment strategies
Sports technology and data analytics innovation
Youth sports facilities development and management
Sports content creation and digital media monetization

Whether you’re a sports industry executive, institutional investor, youth sports parent, coach, or sports business enthusiast, Youth Sports Business Report is your most reliable source for the actionable sports business insights you need to stay ahead of youth athletics trends and make informed decisions in the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape.

Join our growing community of 50,000+ industry leaders who depend on our trusted youth sports business analysis to drive success in the youth sports industry.

Stay connected with the pulse of the youth sports business – where industry expertise meets actionable intelligence.

Sign up for the biggest newsletter in Youth Sports – Youth Sports HQ – The best youth sports newsletter in the industry

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow Youth Sports Business Report Founder Cameron Korab on LinkedIn

Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?

Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

About Play Up Partners

Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

Why Sponsor Youth Sports?

Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.

What Does Play Up Partners Do?

We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.

Our Approach

Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:

Deliver measurable ROI for brand partners
Create meaningful experiences for athletes and families
Elevate the youth sports ecosystem

Our Vision

We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.

Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing

Where can I sponsor youth sports? How do I activate in youth sports? What is the ROI of youth sports marketing? How much does youth sports sponsorship cost?

We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.

Youth sports organizations: Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to learn about our accreditation process.

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Rec Sports

PV girls’ basketball hosts first annual toy drive event on campus

Published

2 hours ago

January 1, 2026

Your Sports Nation

PAJ2553 PV hosts toy drive - web-10 — Dozens of elementary school students pose with their new toys they selected during the First Annual Toy Drive event organized by Pajaro Valley High’s ASB student body and girls’ basketball team inside the gymnasium on campus in Watsonville on Tuesday, Dec. 23. (Raul Ebio/The Pajaronian)

A little more than 100 Pajaro Valley Unified School District students received an early Christmas present at Pajaro Valley High’s first annual toy drive event on Dec. 23.

Children from H.A. Hyde, Ohlone and Hall District elementary schools got a chance to pick from an assortment of toys inside the gymnasium prior to the varsity girls’ basketball game against North Monterey County.

The youngsters also got a special visit from Santa Claus and Little Santa Claus, who spoke to the group prior to making their way to the newly packaged basketballs, board games, backpacks and stuffed animals.

“My mission is to not just coach basketball, but help young people and help families through a difficult time during Christmas,” Pajaro Valley girls’ basketball head coach Darren Jackson said. “For most families, it’s difficult for them to go out and purchase gifts. It was an awesome turnout.”

It’s been nearly a decade since Jackson began the toy drive tradition with his wife Melissa, a teacher at Sherwood Elementary in Salinas.

“[Melissa] was telling me there’s a lot of kids that’s struggling, and there’s a lot of homeless kids out there,” Jackson said. “So, she inspired me through her job.”

Jackson spent 24 years at North Salinas High before taking the helm at Pajaro Valley in September. The Grizzlies’ first-year head coach said he was hoping to keep the tradition alive in Watsonville.

Jackson and the girls’ basketball team were dished an assist from PV High Activities Director Julie Brusa.

Brusa and ASB student body members stepped in by helping collect dozens of donations, including 25 bicycles given out through a raffle.

“[Brusa and the ASB student body] played a role,” Jackson said. “It was a girls’ basketball function but we turned it into a school function.”

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Rec Sports

UNA announces National Girls and Women in Sports Day Clinic for January 31

Published

3 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

FLORENCE, Ala. (December 30, 2025) – For a second straight year, the University of North Alabama Department of Athletics will host a free youth clinic to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Saturday, January 31 from 10 a.m. to noon at the UNA Rec Center.

The free clinic is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and is open to ages 4-12.

“Hosting our second annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day clinic reflects our commitment to empowering girls through athletics,” said Debbie Williams, UNA Associate Athletic Director for Business Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator. “After welcoming over 100 young girls last year, we are excited to continue growing this event by giving our female student-athletes the opportunity to inspire confidence, demonstrate leadership and highlight the positive impact of sports both on and off the field.”

All of UNA’s women’s sports programs, including student-athletes and coaches, will be involved in the camp. This includes women’s basketball, beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, cheer and dance, cross country, women’s golf, soccer, softball and women’s tennis.

Following this event, the UNA women’s basketball team will host FGCU at 6 p.m. inside CB&S Bank Arena. The NGWSD celebration will continue during the game. This game will also serve as Youth Sports Night.

NGWSD is an initiative created by the Women’s Sports Foundation. The annual observance is the first Wednesday of February during National Signing Day.

To register, click here.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Rec Sports

Former Obama estate was priciest home sold in Mass. in 2025

Published

3 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Luxury Homes

These are the three most expensive homes sold in Massachusetts in 2025, according to MLS and Zillow data.

Blue Heron Farm on Martha’s Vineyard. Evan Joseph Studios

The saying goes “money talks, wealth whispers,” but the eye-popping homes — complete with eye-popping price tags — behind the biggest residential real estate transactions across Massachusetts in 2025 are talkers.

At a time when the $925,000 median sales price for a single-family home in Greater Boston already seems out of reach for many, this top trio is in a mortgage payment (or cash offer) league of their own.

As for the locations, the neighborhood backdrop to these transactions isn’t shocking: Martha’s Vineyard, Boston’s Back Bay, and Nantucket rule the roost. Here are the three priciest home sales in the Bay State in 2025, according to MLS and Zillow data.

Blue Heron Farm features a tennis court, pool, and a private beach. – Evan Joseph Studios

Price: $37,000,000

Sold: July 10, 2025

The crown jewel home of 2025 came with a presidential seal of approval alongside its $37 million price tag. Blue Heron Farm in Chilmark, better known as the former Summer White House for the Obama family, officially claimed the year’s top spot. Spanning nearly 30 acres on Tisbury Great Pond, this compound is a self-contained ecosystem of luxury, featuring a 150-year-old barn relocated from Pennsylvania.

A spacious pool house was added by owner Norman Foster. – Evan Joseph Studios

Beyond eight bedrooms and a private beach, the ultimate flex is the Norman Foster-designed pool house — why shouldn’t your swim break come with ties to a Pritzker Prize-winning architect? Listed by Maggie Gold Seelig of MGS Group Real Estate, this sale confirms that privacy isn’t priceless — it can be acquired on the Vineyard for tens of millions of dollars.

59 Commonwealth Ave. sold for $21 million. – Nate Atwater, Atwater Media Productions

Price: $21,000,000

Sold: Nov. 24, 2025

If you’ve ever walked down the French boulevard-inspired stretch of Commonwealth Avenue in the Back Bay and wondered who owns those entire townhouses, the most up-to-date answer is the new owner of Number 59. Fetching a cool $21 million in November, this “sunny side” (aka the southern-facing stretch) stunner on the “Gold Coast” between Berkeley and Clarendon Streets defies the Back Bay trend of chopping grand estates into condos — remaining a glorious, 11,300-square-foot single-family monolith.

The interior of 59 Commonwealth Ave. in Boston. – Nate Atwater, Atwater Media Productions

With 8 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms (8 full and two half baths), elevator access to all floors, and an attached garage (a Back Bay rarity), it is the architectural equivalent of a unicorn. Also listed by Maggie Gold Seelig, who had a firm hand on eight-figure deals this year, this 1910 masterpiece includes a separate staff or guest apartment.

Price: $21,000,000

Sold: Jan. 7, 2025

Tying with our Back Bay entry for the silver medal at $21 million, this Nantucket compound proves that “The Cliff” is just as much its own tax bracket as it is a neighborhood. This restored 6-bedroom, 10-bathroom grand dame dating to 1908 was listed by Gary Winn of Maury People Sotheby’s and includes a separate guest house. The real showstopper, however, is the more-than-900-square-foot rooftop deck — allegedly the largest of any residential property on the island — offering 360-degree views that practically demand a champagne toast at sunset. Inside, the home features a secret study hidden behind a foyer panel, which is frankly the only rational place to hide when you have a full house of summer guests.

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Rec Sports

Plattsburgh YMCA highlights free youth sports program

Published

3 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (ABC22/FOX44) – The Plattsburgh YMCA on Monday said they were proud that City of Plattsburgh officials approved $50,000 in funding to continue its free youth sports program for another year.

“Every time a child steps onto the court or the field, they learn the value of teamwork while building confidence, resilience, and determination,” said Kris Tate, COO for the Plattsburgh YMCA. “When communities invest in youth sports, we see healthier, stronger young people.”

According to the YMCA, more than 700 kids participated in its sports programs in 2025, and more than half of those, over 400, were City of Plattsburgh residents.

Busy Plattsburgh intersection poised for overhaul

Under the terms of the funding, which was approved earlier this month, sports are free for City of Plattsburgh kids ages 12 and under.

The association offers sports including basketball and tee ball – the next program is indoor soccer, which will be held in the spring, with registration open to the community on January 9.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.

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Rec Sports

Game Notes: How Carson City can strengthen youth baseball without making noise

Published

4 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Most of what shapes a kid doesn’t happen during the game.

It happens before the first pitch — when they’re putting on a jersey that fits, tightening their cleats, and slipping a glove onto their hand that feels like it belongs there. Those details seem small to adults. To a child, they’re everything.

In Carson City, as in every town, there are kids who want to play and families who do everything they can to make that happen. Registration gets paid. Schedules get rearranged. Rides get worked out. What doesn’t always fall into place is equipment — especially something as personal and essential as a glove.

That gap usually stays invisible. Quiet. Unspoken.

And that’s exactly why it matters.

A Simple Idea, Done the Right Way

The idea is not complicated: an annual glove drive for Carson City Little League.

Not a spectacle. Not a fundraiser built on attention. Just a dependable, once-a-year effort to make sure that kids who need a glove have one — without ever being asked to explain why.

No announcements. No labels. No moments a child carries with them longer than they should.

Handled discreetly by the league, supported by the community, and grounded in respect.

Why This Matters More Than It Sounds

A glove is more than leather and laces.

It’s confidence. It’s safety. It’s the difference between playing free and playing guarded. Between reaching for the ball and hoping it doesn’t come your way.

Kids feel those differences immediately. They also remember who noticed — and who didn’t.

Youth sports are supposed to be where kids learn how to belong. That lesson starts before a coach ever speaks.

This Isn’t Charity. It’s Stewardship.

This wouldn’t be about rescuing anyone. It would be about maintaining the field, in the broadest sense of the phrase.

Communities take care of their parks, their schools, their traditions. Youth sports deserve the same quiet upkeep. When we remove small barriers early, we prevent bigger ones later — loss of confidence, loss of interest, loss of belief that a place is meant for you.

That kind of care doesn’t require applause. It requires consistency.

Why Make It Annual

Because needs don’t announce themselves once and disappear.

Kids grow. Gloves wear down. Circumstances shift. An annual glove drive acknowledges that reality without judgment or urgency. It makes support part of the rhythm, not a reaction to crisis.

When something becomes routine, it becomes reliable. And reliability is what kids trust.

The Real Outcome

If this works the way it should, no one will talk about it much.

Kids will show up ready to play. Coaches will coach. Parents will watch. Baseball will happen.

And a few players — ones we’ll never identify, and don’t need to — will step onto the field feeling equal instead of exposed.

Those are the quiet things that let kids play.

And they’re worth doing right.

— Chris Graham is a Carson City native, writer and lifelong baseball fan. A former Western Nevada College play-by-play broadcaster, his work focuses on sports, culture and community. He can be followed on his Substack at https://substack.com/@gamenotes.

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