Charlotte, N.C. – The Knothole Foundation, Inc. in conjunction with Queens University of Charlotte announced today that a ground-breaking ceremony for the to-be-constructed "Tuckaseegee Dream Fields," youth baseball and academic complex at 7531-33 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, NC 28214 took place on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 11 a.m.
 
Knothole is re-developing five existing youth baseball fields in various states of disrepair, into a state-of-the-art multi-field athletic and academic complex, the initial phase of which will consist of a youth development field and supporting infrastructure.  Subsequent phases are contemplated to include additional fields and project amenities, including a multi-purpose stadium structure containing, among other things, an educational center, as well as a clubhouse/locker room facility.  Following completion, Knothole will use the redeveloped project as "home base" to drive transformative programming for the underserved youth in the West Charlotte area.
 
The festivities featured Morris Madden accompanied by Jack McDowell singing the Star Spangled Banner.  Jeff Schaefer, Morris Madden, and Alan Barnes, all principals of Knothole, presided over the groundbreaking and offer brief remarks, as well as sharing our collective vision and project.  Keynote speakers included Tony Reagins, Major League Baseball's Executive Vice President of Baseball and Softball Development, and the Honorable Vi Lyles, Mayor of the City of Charlotte.
 
Knothole and Queens also announced the contribution from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund in the amount of $400,000 to aid in the completion of the project.  BTF, a joint initiative of Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, will provide funding for the construction of the youth field including the playing surface, fencing, and dugouts.
 
"The project will be a self-sustaining community centerpiece of youth development and will change the narrative in West Charlotte. Paying back to the community and paying it forward will define the program and will be the real "game changer" in West Charlotte," according to Jack McDowell, Head Baseball Coach, Queens.
 
In addition to the funding provided by BTF, Knothole and Queens would like to thank the many existing donors and prospective supporters who have made this project successful. These include the Bill and Sharon Allen Foundation, Stick Williams, the Foundation for the Carolinas, Honeywell Corporation, Amazon, Verizon Wireless, Champions For Education, Home Depot, Adams Beverage, The Charlotte Knights, the John F. Smiekel Foundation, Weather Tech Corporation, The Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation, Coterra Capital, Arjuna Capital, Publix Grocery Stores, Winston & Strawn, the Opus Group of Companies, VanTrust Real Estate, Wintrust, Signature Bank, the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation, USA Baseball, Best in Class Showcases, USSSA Baseball, the Carolinas Baseball Center, Pitch In For Baseball, Daspin & Aument, Atrium Health, Barings, Perdue Farms Foundation, CPI Security, and Coke Consolidated. BB&T, Capital Bank, Pinnacle Bank, South State Bank, and Wells Fargo are also offering to finance and support the project.  We would also like to thank the Optimist Club and other community partners such as Harvest Church, East Voyager Academy, and Caramel Baptist Church for providing vital support systems and services.  Finally, we would like to acknowledge the tremendous support of our design and construction professionals, Bloc Design, WHN Architects, and Krueger Construction.
 
 
About the Baseball Tomorrow Fund
 
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) is a joint initiative between the Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League Baseball designed to promote the growth of youth baseball and softball throughout the world by awarding grants to support field renovation and construction projects, equipment and uniform purchases, coaches training material and other selected program expenses. Since its formation by the MLBPA and MLB in 1999, BTF has awarded more than 1,000 grants totaling over $37 million to non-profit and tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia. BTF also facilitates league-wide initiatives including the collection and distribution of new and gently used equipment to organizations in need as well as field maintenance education clinics.  For more information, visit baseballtomorrowfund.com and follow BTF on Facebook and Twitter.
 
 
About The Knothole Foundation, Inc.
 
Knothole is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation organized for public and charitable purposes, including educational and athletic purposes.  Knothole has been organized by the principals of the U Deserve A Chance Foundation ("UDACF") and the Carolinas Metro Reds ("CMR") to compliment the services furnished and purposes served by each of UDACF and CMR.  Knothole exists to provide quality recreation, education, connection, and opportunity.  Its members will dedicate time and energy to teach, encourage and assist underserved communities and their constituents.
 
The mission of Knothole is to promote the sport of baseball in underserved communities and to create life opportunities for underserved youth by providing access to facilities, education, mentoring, life-skills and collegiate visibility. In doing so we hope to develop the skills and abilities of underserved youth to the highest level and, in turn, pave pathways to a more prosperous future and community.  For more information, visit www.knotholecarolinas.com and follow Knothole on Facebook and Twitter.