The YMCA of Columbia thanks the Columbia Fireflies for their generous sponsorship of YMCA youth baseball leagues

The YMCA of Columbia announces a community-wide sponsorship of youth baseball leagues by the Columbia Fireflies at YMCAs throughout the Midlands.

The new partnership will bring new jerseys and hats with the Fireflies logo for the youth in the Y’s baseball leagues, YMCA nights at Fireflies games at Spirit Communications Park, activities with the Fireflies at the Y’s baseball games on Saturdays, and more. The Fireflies’ investment in the YMCAs’ youth baseball leagues will allow the Y to further its mission to allow everyone into our programs regardless of their ability to pay.

Photo: Adam Matney, Executive Director, Lexington Family YMCA; Wendy Broderick, Chief Development Officer, YMCA of Columbia; Brad Shank, Executive Vice President, Columbia Fireflies; Anny Naas, Vice President of Marketing at Public Relations, Columbia Fireflies

“Our Y relies on the generosity of corporate partners and sponsors like the Columbia Fireflies to help us maintain and expand programs and services to the people who need us most,” said Wendy Broderick, Chief Development Officer of the YMCA of Columbia. “The YMCA of Columbia and the Columbia Fireflies share a singular vision of helping all youth reach their full potential in life. Together we are leveraging the excitement and passion around recreational and professional baseball programs to create a healthy outlet for children to gain new skills, develop a sense of team and connect with positive role models.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the YMCA to continue to help build youth baseball programs and bolster their accessibility in our community,” Fireflies Team President John Katz said. “The Midlands are a hotbed for baseball with extraordinarily high youth participation rates. Every youngster should have the opportunity to throw on a jersey, grab a bat and play the game we love. We’re excited our youngest fans have the chance to wear the same logo and colors that future Major League stars will bear for years.”

The Jeep Rogers Family YMCA at Lake Carolina, the NorthWest Family YMCA in Irmo, the Lexington Family YMCA, and various downtown Columbia locations will host summer youth baseball leagues. For more information and to register for the YMCA of Columbia’s youth baseball leagues, visit www.columbiaymca.org.

About the YMCA of Columbia

Over the past century and a half, the YMCA of Columbia has been a community-transforming institution, not only in the Midlands, but in the entire United States. The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Regardless of age, income or background – the Y works to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. The Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. Please visit www.columbiaymca.org for more information.

About the Columbia Fireflies

The Columbia Fireflies are the South Atlantic League affiliate of the New York Mets. The Fireflies will play games across the southeast and mid-Atlantic regions, including against in-state rivals in Charleston and Greenville. The team has partnered with the City of Columbia and Hughes Development to construct Spirit Communications Park, a multi-use outdoor sports and entertainment venue at the center of the Bull Street development.  The Columbia Fireflies are owned by Hardball Capital, owners of the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Midwest League and the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern League.  For more information visit www.ColumbiaFireflies.com, or follow the Fireflies on Twitter (@ColaFireflies), Facebook (facebook.com/columbiafireflies) and all popular social media sites.