Dear Barlow Boosters:

The Joel Barlow Baseball Booster Club would like to thank all of its supporters for helping the baseball program meet its goals. This year, the Booster Club is trying to raise funds to make additional physical improvements to the Joel Barlow baseball field.

Booster Club fundraising activities from 2007 were used to purchase a new indoor batting cage and pitching machine; purchase an outdoor pitching machine; and construct an outdoor batting cage. In addition, funds were used to help purchase bleachers, purchase windscreens for both dugouts and backstop, and contribute to general refurbishments to the ball field. Finally, uniforms with a new team logo have been purchased for 2007, thanks to the generous support of families and friends of Barlow baseball.

Despite making all of these improvements, the condition of the ball field is still not fully up to the standards of virtually every other Fairfield County high school.

EQUIPMENT NEEDS FOR 2008

The 2008 Booster Club goals are not extravagant. They are specific, tangible, and include basic necessities. This season, the Booster Club sought help in purchasing and/or installing the following items:

• Safety fencing along the first and third baselines to protect specators and players;

• A safety cap on top of the fencing;

• Two indoor pitching mounds;

• Two soft toss nets and a square protective net for pitching batting practice;

• Two warm-up mounds for pitchers to be placed near the old tennis courts;

• Pitching rubbers and home plates for each warm-up mound;

• Foul pole posts for left field and right field;

• Team hats and t-shirts;

• Other miscellaneous equipment (indoor practice baseballs, training bats, etc.)

FUNDRAISING PLANS FOR 2008

In 2008, fundraising activities included:

• A silent auction of donated gifts.

• A baseball team car wash, which took place on Saturday, April 26. Coordinated by the Carlson family, the car wash set a record for raising money.

• The sale of team t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.

• Family and community donations.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The JBHS Baseball Booster Club is always in need of additional volunteers to help support the baseball program. If you're interested in lending an additional hand, please step up and volunteer some of your time. To get involved, please contact the Booster Club at boysbaseballvolunteer@barlowsports.org.

Thanks to our Supporters!