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TLC for KiDS SPORTS NEWSLETTER
Antioch Little League Grand Opening - Kids

Volume II, Issue I
May 2013

Historic DeFremery Park West Oakland
Historic DeFremery Park West Oakland - Before
Greetings!
 
We take to heart the words of Theodore Roosevelt who once said, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are".  Throughout Northern California, we are doing what we can to support our youth and local communities.  But, we were pleased to find a project closer to home, just 15 minutes away.  We congratulate our latest winner of the TLC for Kids Sports contest - the historic DeFremery Park in West Oakland!  The site is also the location of the  DeFremery Recreation Center which is a 100-year-old Victorian mansion and includes Oakland's only skatepark.  Our latest winner will receive a full rehabilitation benefiting the Oakland Bandits Fastpitch Softball.  The Bandits play in honor of fellow teammate Cynthia Rodriguez who passed away last year.  We know you share our anticipation over the next few months as O.C. Jones & Sons orchestrates a full rehab leading up to the Grand Opening Ceremony - a moment to be shared with our community and celebrity athletes.  Follow the progress of the project on our website.

Save the Dates:
June 22, 2013 - Volunteer Day
July 20, 2013 - Grand Opening/Re-Dedication Ceremony

Interested in being a part of this major project for the City of Oakland?  We are looking for local community sponsors, donors, and volunteers to participate.  RSVP to Jennifer Sebay at JS@TLCforKidsSports.org 

All the best,
TLC for KiDS SPORTS
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Brent-Jones-SF49er
Brent Jones
FeatureArticleBay Area Sports Hall of Fame 
    Enshrinement Banquet

 

The 34th Annual Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame (BASHOF) Enshrinement Banquet was held on Thursday, May, 23, 2013 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.

 

Four Bay Area sports legends were honored including Brent Jones, Board Member for TLC for Kids Sports.  Brent was born and raised in San Jose, California, and attended Santa Clara University.  He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round and traded to the San Francisco 49ers that same year.  He had an exceptional 11-year career with the 49ers, winning 3 Super Bowl championships. He was a 3-time All-Pro and a 4-time Pro Bowl selection.   

 

"It's an honor and a privilege to be recognized and inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, where so many great athletes and great people have preceded me," said Brent.  "It was an unforgettable evening and I enjoyed sharing it with my old roommate and good friend Steve Young." 

 

Along with Brent, this year's BASHOF Enshrinement Banquet honored Tim Brown, Walter A. Haas, Jr.  and Dave Righettoi.    


Cynthia
Oakland Bandits Play for a Fallen Friend 
The Oakland Bandits Fastpitch Softball Association is dedicated to serving girls looking to play elite level softball.  We applaud this organization that prepares girls to play at the highest levels of California softball.  And we are inspired by the young girls that embrace this challenging sport.  One girl in particular has left a lifelong impression that reaches far beyond her own team .

Born and raised near DeFremery Park, Cynthia Rodriguez was diagnosed with Leukemia at the first Bandits practice.  She never missed a practice or a game except when hospitalized.  Our hearts go out to her family, friends and teammates since her passing in August 2012.

The Bandits honored the memory of Cynthia Rodriguez in amazing fashion on October 6-7, 2012.  They took gold in the Play For the Cure Tournament in Manteca and scored 16 (Cynthia's number) in the championship game.

They continue to play in honor of their friend.  We celebrate their courage in facing this tremendous loss at such a young age. 
Cynthia Rodriguez Oakland Bandits
Cynthia Rodriguez 1998- 2012
California Ford Dealers Logo California Ford Dealers - "Hitting Home Runs for Youth Sports"

Official Corporate Partner of the TLC for Kids Sports Program
 

California Ford Dealers is back for the 2013 baseball season!  Along with a generous contribution, Ford will donate $100 to the TLC for Kids Sports program for every Giant home run. 

A big "Thank You" to California Ford Dealers for partnering with us to support youth sports and our local communities!

 

Dinner With A Legend 
On April 25th we had another successful Dinner With A Legend event.  This one featured Giants broadcasters Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper!  Proceeds benefited TLC for Kids Sports.

Brian Murphy with Giants Broadcasters Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper,
Brian Murphy with Giants Broadcasters Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper
West Coast Jamboree

In November of 2011, Jim Capoot, the former Vallejo Apaches girls' basketball head coach who led his team to the 2009 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship, was killed while in the line of duty as a police officer for the Vallejo Police Department.

 

In memory of Coach/Officer Capoot, the West Coast Jamboree honored the Platinum and Diamond Division players who best exemplified the qualities of sportsmanship and inspirational play that he demanded from his players.

 

Winners of the 2nd Annual Jim Capoot Award:

 

Diamond Division

Megan Reid (Miramonte, Orinda) Senior

 

Platinum Division

Makenzie Cast (Carondelet, Concord) Junior 

 

The awards were made possible by a donation from O.C. Jones & Sons and TLC for Kids Sports. 
Makenzie Cast with Jennifer Capoot and her brother and nieces
Makenzie Cast with Jennifer Capoot and her brother and nieces

Megan Reid with Jamie and Jennifer Capoot 
Megan Reid with Jamie and Jennifer Capoot
Family of fallen Police Officer Jim Capoot
Family of fallen Police Officer Jim Capoot
First Pitch of the Season for Eastridge in San Jose
How time flies!  Three years ago, kids from Eastridge Little League in San Jose were greeted with the sight of a brand new ballfield to kick off the season.  O.C. Jones & Sons with TLC for Kids Sports completed their first full renovation of a local ballpark.  The project included the complete removal and reconstruction of the existing field, new irrigation, sod, infield, scoreboard, fencing, and associated work.  They also addressed the needs of the dugouts, bleachers, backstop, and more.  An adjacent unused lot was regraded and sodded to create a warm-up and practice area. 

Today, the field is still holding up very well and is proving to stand the test of time.  We are happy to celebrate the first pitch of the season every year with our kids at Eastridge in San Jose.   

 

Eastridge San Jose First Pitch
Pete Benson of OC Jones & Sons Throws First Pitch at Eastridge
Sponsor

OC Jones Logo

In the midst of a tough economy, O.C. Jones & Sons, Inc. was seeking ways to promote some uplifting news during difficult times that directly affected our local communities. O.C. Jones, a heavy construction firm, found the perfect opportunity to help underserved communities by sponsoring the TLC for Kids Sports program. Through the program, O.C. Jones partnered with KNBR 680AM Radio to hold a special contest. The winner would receive a new field or park!

 

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Featured Video

Cleanup at Memorial Park
Cleanup at Memorial Park
   
In Their Words

"I had a chance to visit the ball fields just yesterday and what a change!  It made me want to go home and get my bat, glove and my son as I had the FEVER to play!  The transformation of the back diamond from what it was to a wonderful new immediately playable softball diamond allowing the league to offer girls softball along with the hardball already there is amazing.  I cannot thank you, your organization, the many volunteers, and the Little League enough for offering to Sacramento Youth a safe and exciting place to play ball!" - Dave Mitchell, Operations Manager, Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Sacramento

 

Contact Us 

Jennifer Sebay
Program Coordinator 
JS@TLCforKidsSports.org
(510) 809-3421