The Diamond Dogs Board values giving back so highly that they have created the community service committee. The organization has a strong commitment to giving back to our communities and values the example and lesson that this provides to our boys. Traditionally, once the community service committee has been formed for a season, a community service committee member from each team would take a month of the season and plan a separate community service event for the organization to participate in. Because of the unique circumstances, we find ourselves in this year due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the community service committee has decided to work together as a committee to bring service opportunities to our organization to support the unique times that we find ourselves in.

Below are details of the community service opportunities our organization will have a chance to participate in during the 2021 season. We encourage everyone to consider participating in each event, as they are able, and get the boys involved as much as possible!

January/February: Diamond Dog “Strike Out A Need” Campaign

It is hard to believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a part of our lives for close to 1 year now. This pandemic has brought many unique challenges for families and the Diamond Dogs want to make a difference! The community service committee will be taking nominations (via this form: Family Nomination Form) for families that may have been hit extra hard during the past 10 months. The community service committee will review the nomination forms received and will select 2 families to support. Families selected will remain anonymous. Nomination forms should be returned by Monday, February 1st.

The 12U and 11U teams will work together to support one family and the 8U and 9U teams will work together to support the second family. Once the families have been selected, the community service committee members will communicate specific needs and ways that your team can help. The goal will be to deliver items collected by the end of February/beginning of March to the families. We would love the opportunity to provide extra support for families in our Diamond Dogs community, but we will also be accepting nominations for families outside of the organization as well.

March/April: Opening Day: Bring the Ballpark to xxx (Name of assisted living facility TBD)

Some of our most vulnerable community members who have been impacted greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic are those living in assisted living facilities. During the pandemic, many of these residents have lost the ability to connect with family and friends and are experiencing severe levels of isolation on top of the fear and anxiety they have of contracting COVID-19. We would love to spread some cheer to residents at a local (Mahomet) based assisted living facility. During the month of March, we will be asking Diamond Dog players to write letters or make cards for the residents with some information about who they are and why they love baseball. We will also be putting together a video of practices and games with messages from the players and the coaches that will be played for the residents. The community service committee will deliver the cards, letters, and video to the facility on opening day – April 1st – along with baseball-inspired snacks and treats! More details about this project will be coming closer to March!

May/June: Tom Jones Challenger League or Community Clean Up Projects

As the weather starts to warm up, the community service committee would love to get the boys outside and participating in a project together. In the past, the Diamond Dogs organization has partnered with the Tom Jones Challenger League. The Tom Jones Challenger League focuses on children, ages 6-21, with varying degrees of physical and mental challenges and works to provide a safe environment for kids to enjoy themselves and baseball. They believe that all children need to be given a chance and they exist for that very reason.

Due to COVID-19, it is still unclear whether the Tom Jones Challenger League will be holding any outwards baseball operations in 2021. The community service committee will be monitoring this closely and if the league deems that circumstances are safe for things to resume, we will work with the league to determine volunteer opportunities for the Diamond Dog organization to participate in.

If the Tome Jones Challenger League does not offer many opportunities during the 2021 season, the community service committee will be exploring other opportunities to get our boys outside, together, and supporting our local communities. More details will be forthcoming!

Click on the button below to pay for the 2022 player fees online.