A Summer Tradition Returns
The 2026 Play Ball Gresham event kicked off on June 18 at Pat Pfeifer Park, turning the city’s green fields into a bustling playground for children of all ages.
Organized by Friends of Baseball in partnership with the Seattle Mariners ON BASE program, the free clinic offered a series of age‑divided skill stations manned by enthusiastic teen volunteers.
Participants rotated through hitting, fielding and pitching drills, each station designed to reinforce fundamentals while keeping the atmosphere light and supportive.
Every child walked away with a commemorative t‑shirt, a snack pack and a handful of sticker badges handed out by Gresham Fire and Police personnel.
Local elected officials turned the day into a community showcase. Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall stepped onto the mound, drawing cheers and playful heckles from the youngsters.
Councilors Cathy Keathley and Sue Piazza joined Mayor Stovall, while Representative Ricki Ruiz added a congressional presence that underscored the event’s civic significance.
Beyond the baseball action, the gathering served as a fundraiser for youth sports initiatives, with food vendors and a raffle supporting future programming.
The event’s success was amplified by the involvement of the Gresham Fire and Police departments, who distributed plastic helmets and badge stickers, further cementing the day’s family‑friendly vibe.
Friends of Baseball and the Seattle Mariners ON BASE program highlighted their ongoing commitment to grassroots baseball development, emphasizing that the clinic is part of a broader mission to make the sport accessible to every child in the region.
As the sun set over Pat Pfeifer Park, the echo of kids’ laughter mingled with the crack of bats, signaling another successful summer of community engagement and athletic growth.