Giants Pitcher Barry Zito To Attend Junior Giants Field Dedication In Stockton

$250,000 Project to Benefit Stockton Youth

(Stockton, CA, July 16, 2008) – On Wednesday, July 23 at 10am, the Giants Community Fund, Good Tidings Foundation,, and San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito, in association with Delta Bluegrass Company, will unveil Barry Zito Junior Giants Field at the Van Buskirk Community Center. Each of these project partners contributed resources to make this venture a reality this summer for the children of Stockton. In attendance will be Zito, Giants President and Managing General Partner Peter Magowan, Giants Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Larry Baer, City of Stockton Mayor Edward Chavez, and Stockton Junior Giants Commissioner Willy Razo.

This $250,000 project included the upgrading of the field’s irrigation system, installing new fencing and cement work, and replacing the sod and infield dirt. Including the two fields at this site, the Giants Community Fund has renovated 16 youth baseball fields. The field renovation was also supported by a number of community partners including the American Fence Association CFCA Chapter, TMT Enterprises, Inc., the City of Stockton, Food For Less, Robert A. Bothman, Inc., Hunter Industries and Verde Design.

"I am proud to be associated with this wonderful group of people who share the same vision as I, in providing a safe and caring place for kids to play baseball and learn life lessons through sports,” said Barry Zito. The Stockton field will not only serve as the new home for Junior Giants players but will also be utilized throughout the year by organizations including the City of Stockton Department of Parks & Recreation, local schools and other community-based youth sports leagues.

Since 1999, the Giants Community Fund and the Good Tidings Foundation have worked together in the successful renovation of baseball fields for Junior Giants players throughout the greater Bay Area. Among the recent projects were: Nicholl Park Field in Richmond, Willie Mays Boys and Girls Club at Hunters Point, Selma Olinder Field in San Jose and Bobby Bonds Memorial Field in Daly City.

Who:
Barry Zito, Peter Magowan, Larry Baer, Mayor Edward Chavez, and representatives from the Giants Community Fund and Good Tidings Foundation

What:
Barry Zito Junior Giants Field Dedication Ceremony When: Wednesday, July 23 at 10am

Where:
Van Buskirk Community Center
734 Houston Avenue, Stockton

On-site Contacts:
Frances Larose cell: 415.608.6058 / Hilary Laurie cell: 415.832.0135

About the partners:
The Good Tidings Foundation shares the spirit of giving with youth from communities of need to empower them to reach their dreams. Good Tidings creates original projects and works in partnership with businesses, professional sports franchises and agencies throughout the Bay Area, providing enriching opportunities to deserving youth. For more information about our projects please visit, www.goodtidings.org.

The Giants Community Fund uses baseball as a forum to encourage youngsters and their families to live healthy, productive lives. The Fund supports the Junior Giants program and collaborates with the San Francisco Giants to provide assistance to targeted community efforts in the areas of education, health and violence prevention. Since its inception in 1991, the Fund has donated more than $10 million to various community programs. The Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.jrgiants.org or call 877-JR-GIANT.

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