Nubson Funds Offer Hope to New Squads and Youth During 2019 Season
Board agrees to modify allocation of Nubson funds during the 2019 season to support the future of beep baseball.
TULSA, OK (Jun 12) — With the approval of a majority in attendance at the National Beep Baseball Association’s spring meeting of the Board of Directors in Tulsa, Oklahoma this March, the league has prioritized support for new teams and youth programming as money is allocated through the Nubson Grant during the 2019 season.
Through its temporary restructuring, Nubson funding up to $2500 will be provided to any new team which registers and arrives in Tulsa for the league’s World Series tournament beginning on July 28.
Funds will also be provided to any affiliate team who’s hosting a local youth event in partnership with the Projects Committee, such as the Minnesota Millers’ Kids Day scheduled for June 15.
The Nubson Grant, established in 2011, has provided over $80,000 in support to active teams across the league. Typically, a lottery is held during the spring board meeting to determine eligibility and distribution of $1,000 to an average of eight teams each year. Through discussion, the board felt the league could offer greater support by increasing the amount awarded and tying it to the organization’s strategic goals of providing aid to new teams and youth initiatives.
“The future is truly bright for our league,” said President Blake Boudreaux. “Our hope is to breathe life into the league through new teams, and provide support to our affiliates as they secure the future of their own teams through youth development.”
Justin Romack, chair of the Projects Committee, agrees this is a prudent move to jumpstart youth involvement with beep baseball. “Our focus is to see kids ditch the video game controllers in place of beep baseball, and we want to make sure our league and teams have money available to carry out this vision,” said Romack.
Joe and Emily Nubson were fervent supporters of beep baseball, laying a quiet yet instrumental role in the grassroots development of youth athletes with the Albuquerque True-Site in the 1980’s. With consideration of the family’s heart and spirit for the game, the board of directors vowed to identify a more sustainable means for growing the league and providing for the next-generation of beep baseball through the Nubson’s financial contributions. The board agreed to develop updated provisions for the Nubson Grant before the beginning of the 2020 season next March.
As of the June 1 deadline, four newly-registered teams were eligible for funding through the Nubson Grant during the 2019 season, which includes the Braille Bandits of West Palm Beach, Las Vegas LV2020, San Gabriel Valley Panthers and Wichita Falcons. Currently, the Braille Bandits and Falcons are the two teams committed to attending the league’s tournament this summer. Upon arrival to Tulsa, treasurer and CFO, John Lykowski, will present the team with a check for $2,500 to offset costs incurred for travel and competition.
To receive funding for youth programming, affiliates are encouraged to contact Justin Romack at jromack@nbba.org to obtain a program checklist and requirements to be used in determining the scope and intent of any event proposed. In May, the New Jersey Titans hosted a half-day clinic for kids and families in the area. The Minnesota Millers are scheduled to host a similar event, where kids will learn the fundamentals of beep baseball and participate in several drills and exercises aimed at increasing awareness of the sport and developing relationships with potential players and community partners.
About the National Beep Baseball Association
Founded in 1976, the National Beep Baseball Association has facilitated and provided the opportunity for the sport of Beep Baseball to be played by those who are blind or visually impaired throughout the United States, Canada, Taiwan and the Dominican Republic. For more information, visit www.nbba.org