Rockford Pony Baseball

Hours of thought and work have been and will continue to be put into developing and running a successful capital campaign to allow Rockford Pony Baseball to raise at least half the cost of the purchase price of the property. Many different programs are now in place which allows businesses and individuals to assist us in reaching our goal. Further information may be found on our website at www.rockfordpony.com or by contacting Mike Broski at 399-5664 ext. 407 or at rockfordpony@entrerock.com.

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How can I help?

Please seriously consider helping save this wonderful institution. No amount is too small. Contact Mike Broski at 399-5664 ext. 407 or at rockfordpony@entrerock.com, visit the park, pick up a brochure, spread the word, and hit a “home run” for Roy Gayle.

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What planning for the immediate future of Rockford Pony Baseball at Roy Gayle has been done?

The Executive Board of Directors has been able to negotiate a lease extension with SCI through the 2005 season. Roy Gayle will continue to provide quality baseball and softball just as it has in every other year prior. This lease extension has allowed the board to develop and implement a capital campaign to raise funds to purchase the property.

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How has the Rockford Park District offered their assistance?

The Rockford Park District has been friend and partner with Roy Gayle for some time. They have offered to apply for a grant whereby half of the purchase price of the land could be offset. The park district continues to offer their assistance to the Roy Gayle board.

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Has Rockford Pony Baseball made an offer to purchase?

Yes. The original offer was rejected. SCI has now indicated a desire to negotiate. That is and will be an ongoing process.

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Why is the property now for sale after 42 years?

The property was sold in 1999 to SCI Management, a Texas based corporation which owns and operates cemetery property throughout the United States. At the time SCI purchased the property they were unaware the property was home to 7 ball diamonds and over 1000 kids. They made a business decision to sell the 55 acres in which Roy Gayle occupies.

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How has Roy Gayle been able to stay at its current location for the past 42 years?

Pony Baseball operated under various organizations, beginning as a small group of managers of teams that played at various sites around town. It was their dream to bring the program together at one site. Roy Gayle was one of those men. He offered to “lease” the grounds to the organization for $1.00 per year. A formal lease was not drawn up until later in the program’s history.

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What is happening now since Governor Blagojevich has proposed elimination of the OSLAD Program?

We are currently lobbying the Governor and the legislators not to include the OSLAD Program in the proposed cuts but to maintain the program so that park districts across the state can continue to help organizations like Roy Gayle as well as purchase other land for recreation. You can help simply by signing and forwarding a pre-formed letter to the governor pleading for reconsideration and restoration of the funds. More information on our website at www.rockfordpony.com.

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How does Rockford Pony Baseball at Roy Gayle operate?

Roy Gayle is run and operated by a volunteer beard of directors committed to providing quality baseball and softball to the area youth. Rockford Pony Baseball is a not-for-profit organization. Hours and hours of year round planning and organizing go into each and every aspect of the functioning of the park. These volunteers also provide a large amount of work in preparing and caring for the physical needs of the park as well. The system would not be a success if not for the many volunteer managers, coaches and generous sponsors who support our program and the kids.

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How has Roy Gayle come to be what it is today?

The first diamond, the Pony field or diamond 1 was the first constructed in 1962. The current board room served as the first concession stand. Diamond 2 was added shortly after bringing the Bronco World Series for Pony Baseball to town. The Mighty Mites (a feeder system for the Bronco league) came to Roy Gayle around 1978. Two smaller diamonds were subsequently built for that program. It was renamed as the Mustang league and became franchised under the national Pony Baseball organization. Pinto baseball started with four teams around 1986. The league quickly grew to 20 teams. As enrollment grew in the early 1990s, so did the need for additional diamonds giving birth to diamond 4. One of the original Mustang fields was turned and yet another diamond was built. Those diamonds are currently diamonds 5 and 6. A couple of years after that brought the construction of a full-size baseball field at diamond 7 allowing the Colt League to be added to the program for 15 and 16 year old boys. Girl’s softball was added in the mid-90s. The program grew from the original 20 Pony and Bronco teams on two diamonds to the present day 80+ teams on 7 beautiful diamonds. A Rockford Park District grant made it possible to upgrade electrical service to handle the demands of a booming program. A new parking lot was built and the original one was resurfaced in order to handle increased traffic. A new entrance and road around diamond 4 enabled an easier flow of traffic through the park. The new millennium saw new lights on the original Bronco field and the replacement of the fencing around all of the diamonds. The year 2003 brought yet another new league for 5 and 6 year olds. The Shetland League began its maiden year with 8 teams. All programs combined accommodate over 1000 kids. We estimate over 20,000 have come through the Roy Gayle system over the last 42 years.

Rockford Pony Baseball has always looked forward, building and expanding to serve the youth of Rockford and the surrounding communities. The park that stands at Meridian Road and Bypass 20 has succeeded without tax money, without government funding and without a paid administration. Foresight, dedication, desire, planning and hard work, along with a community of people who believe in kids and love the sport have made it all possible. It truly is a “field of dreams”.

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Who are the members of the “Support the Roy Gayle Tradition” Steering Committee?

President of Rockford Pony Baseball at Roy Gayle - Phil Rivera
Treasurer - Ken Held
Capital Campaign Chairman - Mike Broski
Public Relations Chair - Michele Smith

All the members of the Board of Directors are an integral part of the success of the campaign.

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What is Rockford Pony Baseball?

Locally, most know us as Roy Gayle, the name of the park where over 1000 kids currently play baseball and softball. We are a youth baseball and softball organization serving the Rockford and surrounding communities’ kids ages 5-16. The program is administered completely by volunteers. We are affiliated with the national organization of PONY Baseball/Softball headquartered in Washington, Pennsylvania. PONY is an acronym for “Protect Our Nation’s Youth”.

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Where does my money(Fees) go?

Income

2004 Actual	Item	2005 Budget	Explanation
15403	Concession	20000
3979	Photo Commision	3900
82185	Player Fees	85000
18297	Raffle	15000
6590	Reg. Fees	6800	(Move-up fees)
3150	Sponsor Fees	3000
7350	Tourney Fees	1020
2316	Memorial Day tour.	4000
1675	Fall Adult Softball	0
7291	Bat-A-Thon	7500
	GS Fund	0
148,486		152,200

Expenses

2004 Actual	Items	2005 Budget	Explanation
736	Acctng Fees	750
1585	Bad Checks	600
1311	National Exp.	1500	League & Tour. Fees
423	Background Check	400	Fee for Submission
1146	Other	1200	General Administration
1477	All-Stars	1600	Hats & Patches
10104	Electric	10000	Edison
1000	Garbage	1200	Onyx
308	Gas	300	NICOR
829	Phone	850	Ameritech
1509	Port-a-let	1500	Port-A-John
22607	Capital Drive	5000	Fund Drive Expenses
9020	Cap. Improv.	2500	Park Projects
2107	Equipment	2500	Baseballs, Concession, Etc.
114	Grounds Care	500	AgLime, Fertilizer
11237	Insurance	10500
310	Board Jackets	400
891	Gasoline	600
1429	Main. Supply	1200
864	Postage	800
4175	Printing	3500
342	Rentals	300
397	Repairs	400
2225	Appreciation Dinner	2500
687	Bus. Supply	650	T. Tissue & towls, Foul Paint
9533	Taxes	10000	Personal & Property
1547	Team Expense	1700	Unsponsored team expense
5107	Trophies	5200
413	Bank Charges	150
32365	Umpires	35000
18397	Wages	23000	Concession, Garbage, Grounds, & Mow, Restrooms
125,798.00		103,000.00

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