COVID-19 updates: Legion Ball and Summer Camps "Cancelled"
Check back frequently to this page or with coaches for more information.
We are working to organize a few tournaments for players.
Portland Eastside Baseball Stands United
BLACK LIVES MATTER: It has been a heavy, hectic past few weeks, and we at Portland Eastside Baseball Club apologize for our delay in responding to recent killings of African Americans on our website. We at PEBC mourn the tragic, unjust, and unacceptable loss of Black lives at the hands of vigilantes, law enforcement, and systemic racism at large. It is important that we unequivocally state that BLACK LIVES MATTER. Nobody should have to fear an encounter with neighbors, and especially not the law enforcement officers charged with protecting them; not when going for a run (Ahmaud Arbery), sleeping in her bed (Breonna Taylor), going to the store (George Floyd), nor cooking food and providing shelter for his community (David McAtee). It is also unconscionable that in the midst of this pandemic Black Americans are exposed to and killed by COVID-19 at disproportionately high rates while also facing disproportionately low access to necessary testing and quality medical care needed to contain and treat the virus. We recognize that racism has plagued our country from before its founding, that it continues to do so, and that we have much work to do to eradicate it. We envision a country in which all people are truly equal under the law as promised in our 14th amendment, with truly equal opportunities to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as promised in our declaration of independence.
As a community baseball organization, this vision extends to the diamond, where racism and economic inequality (much like gentrification) have functioned to exclude those who cannot afford growing expenses, and those who see dwindling numbers of others who look like them or may share their lived experience on baseball teams and coaching staffs may feel unwelcome. We seek to change this, so that all children can see themselves and be truly included in this sport that we love so much. While our seasons have been essentially sidelined due to the novel coronavirus, we are committed at PEBC to do our own work to understand and dismantle white privilege and supremacy as well as to increase our staff, coaches, and leadership of color to truly represent the kids we are here for and the values we hold. As coaches, we are always open to feedback from our community and will always lend support and a listening ear. Please be safe, take care of yourselves, and never quit standing up for justice, accountability, and equality.
Our Mission Statement: We are a non-profit working to expand opportunities for low-income youth of all ages to play baseball, from youth leagues through high school. Our goal is to offer low-cost and cost-free opportunities to play for youth who otherwise would not be able to afford it given the current status quo, thereby expanding access to the positive youth development and collegiate pathways that this sport and supportive coaches can provide. Please consider donating, sponsoring a player for the summer, or passing the word along to individuals and/or businesses who you feel may be interested in supporting this mission. Every bit helps to lower cost for participating families, secure facilities and travel, and compensation for coaches.
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Your giving supports our youth and helps our communities grow stronger!
For the love of the game!
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