Reds Community Fund will donate $3,000 to Goodyear

The Reds Community Fund will donate $3,000 to Goodyear to promote youth baseball participation.

Bob Castellini, president and CEO of the Cincinnati Reds, made the announcement Monday at a groundbreaking for the team's $33 million spring-training base in Goodyear. The Reds will share the complex, along Estrella Parkway and south of Lower Buckeye Road, with the Cleveland Indians.

The Indians facilities are already completed and the team will play its first game in February. The Reds are scheduled to join the Indians in 2010.

The city plans to use the Reds' donation to cover fall baseball and Little League registration fees for children who cannot afford it. The money is expected to cover costs for up to 55 kids.

Goodyear and the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority are funding the $108 million spring-training facilities. They include a 10,000-seat stadium and practice space for Ohio's two Major League Baseball teams.

Goodyear history book planned

Sally Kiko and Denise Bates are researching a book about Goodyear's history in conjunction with the Three Rivers Historical Society.

Founded in 1946, the city had just 400 houses and apartments. Today, more than 55,000 people live here.

Anyone interested in contributing photos, memories or news clippings for the book should call Kiko at 623-386-1397.