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 Mission Statement
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World Baseball Outreach (WBO)
is a faith-based non-profit 501
(c) (3) organization whose mission
is to mentor, encourage and build
enduring relationships for youth
and Christian mentors through
the sport of baseball and softball.
We encourage Christian mentors,
send instructors, provide sports
clinics to inner city youth, supply
equipment programs at boys’ and
girls’ homes, and help build and
maintain playing fields.
Click here to view additional photos.
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WBO Objectives
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Our Objective is to secure funding
for World Baseball Outreach to:
a) actively engage and spark a
new excitement in our youth. b)
Equip our youth with Christ-like
values, strong leadership skills
and enduring relationships through
our Christian mentors. c) Provide
inner city youth baseball/softball
clinics. d) Build and help maintain
playing fields to provide a safe
and fun playing environment. e)
Provide baseball or softball equipment
to everyone in need.
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WBO Measurable Results
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A vital component of WBO’s Plan
of Operations is ongoing program
evaluation and outcome studies.
WBO systematically surveys all
key program participants for a
number of quality of life outcomes.
These outcomes are compiled and
measured by a third party entity
identified as a credible research
and evaluation institution. Key
areas of measurement include increased
physical, emotional and spiritual
wellbeing, social functioning
and positive engagement in their
larger community.
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Brief History
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Founded in 1995, World Baseball
Outreach’s journey started with
a mission trip to Nicaragua in
which we distributed six baseball
gloves and dozens of baseballs.
Soon after, WBO began collecting
baseball and softball equipment
at three drop-off sites in the
Tulsa area.
Since 1995, WBO has shipped baseball
and softball to over ten countries.
WBO has also joined with several
local churches in efforts to continue
bringing equipment to children.
Some of these churches include
Boston Avenue Methodist, Parkview
Baptist, Asbury United Methodist,
Christ United Methodist, and First
United Methodist.
As of 2007, World Baseball Outreach
had collected over 1000 baseball
gloves, 3500 baseballs, 200 sets
of catcher’s gear, and 1250 baseball
bats.
In 2007 clinics were conducted
locally at the Tulsa Boys Home
and Tulsa Dream Center. Clinics
were also conducted at boys’ ranches
in Missouri and Colorado. Clinics
provided brand new baseball gloves
for each player, T-shirts, new
equipment building, L-screens,
and professional and collegiate
instruction.
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Jerry Jacobson
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I was given my first glove at
age 4. It was a blistery Saturday
afternoon in the middle of the
summer. My Uncle Ralph taught
me how to catch and that same
day handed me my first wooden
bat. I was hooked! I was that
kid that slept with his glove
on one hand and his hat in the
other. That was the bright side.
On the other side I grew up feeling
alone, low self esteem, and not
knowing my father. I was all by
myself in the big world and felt
uncertain of my strengths and
abilities. That is where baseball
stepped in. When it was baseball
season, I was a part of a team.
I had a great coach that always
told me “great job” or there were
even times where he told me I
needed to work harder. During
baseball season I always felt
good inside. When the seasons
came to an end, the good feelings
were replaced with lonely ones
again. I was not a one sport guy
back then but I only excelled
in baseball so in football and
other sports, I didn't hear very
many positive statements that
made me feel as welcome and wanted
as baseball season had provided.
As I grew older, my talents carried
me into college and Independent
League levels. Still, baseball
was all I felt I had and was the
only place I could go and feel
good about myself. I was always
praying to God that no matter
what happens, I want to play professional
baseball. It was something I prayed
about daily. The only problem
was at the end of each prayer,
I would always add at the end,
very softly, that if God didn't
have it in his plans for me to
play professionally, I always
wanted to be coaching and helping
out kids just like me. At some
moment long before my first breath,
I believe God intended for me
to do just that. At the age of
49, I am still playing in men’s
leagues in Tulsa. I was even part
of a great bunch of guys that
won the Men’s 35+ World Series
in 2002. My biggest joy today
is taking the field with kids
that don’t have a positive role
model in their life. Many of these
kids do not have a father at home
and some do not have a mother
or a father; the emptiness that
they feel and live every day I
can understand. I learned from
Tommy Maxwell former Baltimore
Colt and founder of “Coaches Outreach”
that coaches are not really coaches,
they’re youth ministers. He is
so right. Each coach could come
in contact with as many as 20,000
kids in a life time. What an overwhelming
opportunity! What an overwhelming
need! I started WBO thinking God
just wanted me putting a glove
in every lonely hand but God has
moved WBO towards something bigger.
We are in the business of telling
every child “GOOD JOB!” We are
in the business of building and
improving their self esteem, building
friendships, and most importantly
we are in the business of pointing
them towards our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. Please join us in
any of the many ways to get involved
including praying for us and the
lives we touch. Today, for me…
I have someone telling me “Great
job son!” every day!
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Monthly Newsletter
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Click here to view newsletters. |
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*WBO relies on donations to fund
numerous projects that actively
engage young boys and girls in
baseball and softball. The most
significant result is the development
of relationships these children
will otherwise lack. Our interaction
provides them with leadership
and character training, as well
as neighborhood outreach opportunities.
This outreach has significant
presence throughout the Tulsa
Metropolitan area, and has far
reaching ramifications. Our goal
in 2008 is to expand and reach
out to youth in cities across
the USA.
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| Copyright © 2008 World Baseball Outreach. All Rights
Reserved. |
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