News
Field of Dreams Makeover at Grant Union High School
From Sutter Health and the Sacramento River Cats
SACRAMENTO, Calif. March 14, 2009 - Grant Union High School’s varsity baseball field has been transformed into a “field of dreams” by a Sutter Health donation and volunteers from the Sacramento River Cats, Sutter Health, Grant Union High School, Twin Rivers Unified School District and the Del Paso Heights community.
The makeover is a labor of love for Wesley Marshall, vice-principal of Grant Union High School. Twenty years ago he was a Junior at the Sacramento area high school and played outfield on the baseball team. That year, the team was ranked number one in the state for baseball.
“We were so proud to bring home that trophy,” he remembered. “And we are ready to do it again. Following the success of our football team and with a newly renovated field and the support of our community, the team is even more motivated to get out there and play ball.”
Sutter, River Cats and other volunteers helped give the field a complete overhaul including:
- In-field makeover (including professional pitching mound, new irrigation system, renovated bleachers and chain link fencing – installed prior to volunteer day)
- Installation of windscreen, foul poles and warning track
- Painting
- Gardening
- Donation for new team uniforms by Sacramento City Councilmember Sandy Sheedy
“The River Cats are thrilled to partner with Sutter Health on the third annual Fit-for-Life Baseball Field Makeover project,” said Alan Ledford, River Cats president, general manager and COO. “We salute Sutter Health for its commitment to bringing better health to our community through creative programs like this, and we are glad the River Cats could play a role in this project.”
Sutter Health invested $20,000 in the project, the River Cats provided professional support including equipment, manpower, knowledge and expertise and Grant Union High School and the Twin Rivers Unified School District provided critical manpower. The River Cats also have worked closely with the Del Paso Heights community and area businesses to make the generous donation from Sutter stretch even further.
The Fit-for-Life Baseball Field Makeover project believes that better individual health is rooted in the overall good health of our communities. Grant Union High School was selected as this year’s recipient in part because it has strong community support. Along with promoting academic excellence, the school also is dedicated to developing the physical and emotional well-being of its students. As a part of the program, Sutter Health also donated $5,000 to the baseball program at Highlands High School in North Highlands to help support youth and community health.
Sutter Health and the Sacramento River Cats have joined together to meet community health needs for the past eight years. The not-for-profit Sutter Health network has a longstanding commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of communities throughout Northern California. In 2007, it invested $503 million in providing care and services for the poor and underserved and in benefits for the broader community.
About Sutter Health
Serving patients and their families in more than 100 Northern California cities and towns, Sutter Health doctors, hospitals and other health care service providers join resources and share expertise to advance health care quality and access. The Sutter Medical Network includes many of California’s top-performing, highest quality physician organizations as measured annually by the Integrated Healthcare Organization. Sutter-affiliated hospitals are regional leaders in cardiac care, women’s and children’s services, cancer care, orthopedics and advanced patient safety technology. For more information about the not-for-profit Sutter Health family, please visit www.sutterhealth.org.
About the River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats are the top minor league affiliate of the Oakland Athletics and play their home games at Raley Field in West Sacramento. Since the team’s inception in 2000, the River Cats have led all of Minor League Baseball (nearly 200 teams) in attendance every year and have won four Pacific Coast League Championships (2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008). The Sacramento River Cats are an active member of the Sacramento and West Sacramento communities and are involved in countless philanthropic programs.
Sutter Health Contact
Kami Lloyd
Communications Coordinator
(916) 286-6680 | direct
(916) 286-6695 | media line
Lloydk@SutterHealth.org
River Cats Contact
Gabe Ross
(916) 376-4850 | direct
(916) 607-4850 | cell