John Franco, Darryl Strawberry and Ed Kranepool at the Citi Softball for Heroes event Photo by: Stacy Podelski

Citi and SNY will be teaming up for Youth Baseball with a very special event on Wednesday April 18, as the two companies will be having a Grant Dedication Ceremony featuring former Mets first baseman Ed Kranepool.

The Grant Dedication Ceremony, which will be held on Dyckman Field at Inwood Hill Park, as the financial services company announced on Monday that they will be adding two additional baseball programs geared for children.

Citi will now help to sponsor SNY Play Ball, YMCA Jr. Mets in joining Citi Field Kids (CFK) in inspiring and motivating area youth through the sport of baseball.

“We are thrilled to add SNY Play Ball and YMCA Jr. Mets to our youth community sports platform in the tri-state region,” said Dermot Boden, Chief Brand Officer at Citi.  “Our involvement with these two great programs enables us to expand our reach and share our mentoring and education events to even more of the future leaders of tomorrow in an engaging and fun way, through baseball.”

SNY, which is the official home of the New York Mets, has been spearheading a youth baseball and softball initiative called Play Ball, which is now presented by the finical services company. The Play Ball program provides youth baseball and softball organizations to the undeserved communities in the Tri-State Area by providing grants and motivational experiences.

This year thanks to the partnership with Citi, the Play Ball program will support eight now youth leagues by distributing $40,000 for the purchase of player equipment and uniforms, as well as other annual operating expenses.

SNY will feature a special dedication featuring executives from the television network, Citi and Mets-great Kranepool at each selected league’s home field. While also showcasing the leagues in a segment during an episode of the network’s Emmy-Award winning children’s show Kid Clubhouse.

“In last year’s inaugural season of SNY Play Ball,the positive response we received from youth baseball and softball leagues in the Tri-State Area was overwhelming.  To have the opportunity to expand the SNY Play Ball program this year – and support eight new leagues – is an exciting proposition for all of us,” said Steve Raab, President of SNY.  “It’s an honor to partner with Citi on this community initiative, and we’re truly grateful for the support provided by the New York MetsandThe Baseball Tomorrow Fund to help make SNY Play Ball even bigger in 2012.”

Citi has also teamed with the YMCA Jr. Mets to join the CFK as a way of serving the local community making a huge impact on the local youth in the New York City area.

“The YMCA of Greater New York is excited to offer the YMCA Jr. Mets Presented by Citi to local kids who want to play ball”, said Gary Laermer, Chief Development Officer of the YMCA of Greater New York. “The program works to teach kids that it’s not about whether you win or lose, it’s about how you play the game.”

Written on April 16, 2012