The Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta (CFSEA), is pleased to announce a generous gift from the Mavericks Baseball Club to the Strikeout Stigma Fund in Honour of Mason Close.
The Community Foundation was grateful to be a participating organization and the 50/50 recipient at the June 6th Medicine Hat Mavericks game against the Moose Jaw Miller Express. Proceeds from the 50/50 will go to the next generation of baseball support – the Strikeout Stigma Fund in Honour of Mason Close.
“The love of baseball and the dream to support youth, forever, was a driving force for John P. Ignatius to form a local Community Foundation in Southeastern Alberta.”
Niki Gray,
CFSEA Executive Director.
In 1998, John established the TX Ranches Baseball Fund with an initial $40,000 gift to support the Friends of Medicine Hat Youth Baseball Society. The fund has since distributed over $50,000, surpassing the original donation, and will continue to support youth baseball and education, forever! “We believe that John would feel immense pride of the Strikeout Stigma Fund in Honour of Mason and the work Strikeout Stigma is doing to support our region.” says Gray. The Strikeout Stigma Fund at CFSEA supports mental health initiatives for young athletes in the community. Since 2021, the fund has distributed close to $25,000.
About Strikeout Stigma
Strikeout Stigma is a foundation created in the honour of Mason Close. The foundation provides supports to young athletes struggling with mental health and helps to end the
stigma. www.strikeoutstigma.org
About Medicine Hat Mavericks Baseball Club
The Medicine Hat Mavericks are Medicine Hat’s premier summer collegiate baseball team, competing in the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL), one of Canada’s top developmental baseball leagues. Beyond baseball, the Mavericks are committed to strengthening the community through youth development programs, school and community outreach, local partnerships, and family-friendly entertainment that brings residents and visitors together throughout the summer. www.themavericks.ca
Strikeout Stigma Foundation and friend of Mason throws the opening pitch at the June 6th game against the Moose Jaw Miller Express