Bay City Tribune

As the Bay City High School girls softball complex goes up, one more sponsor is needed to meet the $10,000 challenge issued by Matagorda Regional Medical Center after they became the first lifetime sponsors of the softball field scoreboard.

The school district, alongside the City of Bay City public works department, that is providing the construction services, broke ground on the new softball complex on Friday, Sept. 25.

Because the softball is currently on schedule for a Feb. 1 completion date, acquiring a sponsor for the second half of the scoreboard is the priority of the athletic department's fundraising efforts.

"Right now our main priority is recruiting full sponsorship for the new softball field scoreboard because it is being manufactured right now," said Bay City ISD Superintendent Keith Brown.

He said that Robert Blackmon, Bay City ISD athletic director, has been meeting with many of the chief officers of local companies and to work on gaining their partnership with the Bay City High School athletics program.

Although Matagorda Regional Medical Center was the first to sign-on as sponsors, Brown said many other local companies have been contacted and are considering sponsorship as well.

One of the benefits of sponsoring the softball field scoreboard is that you only pay $10,000 one time for an advertisement that lasts the lifetime of the board.

"For a $10,000 donation they will have advertisement for life," said Brown.

"That's a really good deal. I can't think of any other opportunity they can get advertising for that price."

Brown said the scoreboard will face the road that enters the back of the high school and can be seen on a daily basis by people who travel on that street and by the people who walk at the hike and bike trail.

"You're getting a really good advertising deal and at the same time your helping out our girls softball program," he said.

According to Brown, the support from the local community has been overwhelming.

Bruce Krauskopf, owner of K&C Leasing Services, donated the dirt work and the laser leveling of the softball field.

All of the backhoe work was donated by Denton Leissner, of Leissner Backhoe Services.

Mike Brown, of Champion Turf Farms, donated all fo the sod needed for the field.

And James McAda, of McAda Drilling Fluids, gave 500-feet of 18-inch culvert pipe for the parking lot.

"All of these men are just great supporters of the school district and we really appreciate their support along with the support of our scoreboard sponsors," said Brown.

Brown said he hopes that the local businesses will consider sponsoring the second half of the girls softball complex scoreboard.

"I'm told we'll have one of the top softball facilities in south Texas when it's done," said Brown.

Contact Blackmon at (979) 241-6094 or rblackmon(at)bcblackcats.net to find out how you can become a part of this project.