For two seasons, Billings Public Schools' high school baseball program has been a bright spot on the local sports landscape, drawing players from across the city and earning praise for its positive influence on youth.
But the program now faces a $100,000 funding gap that could force its cancellation after the upcoming season, prompting a community‑wide effort to raise the remaining money by the end of July.
Advocates for Billings Baseball, a volunteer‑driven nonprofit, has taken the lead in the campaign, urging residents, businesses and alumni to contribute before the deadline.
A community at a crossroads
The initiative comes at a time when Billings' public high schools were among the first in Class AA to adopt baseball as a varsity sport, and the Class AA state tournament is slated to be played in Billings next spring, giving the fundraiser added regional significance.
The school board in Helena recently voted unanimously to add baseball for the 2027 season, underscoring growing support for the sport across Montana, though the immediate financial hurdle remains.
Greg Steffanich, head coach at Billings Senior High, has spoken publicly about the program's role in keeping students engaged and in fostering a sense of belonging on the field.
Coaches, parents and students alike are rallying, organizing fundraisers and reaching out to local sponsors, hoping that collective action will preserve a program that has become a model for other districts.