Volunteering for youth sports through DYO
BROKEN BOW - The Diamond Youth Organization (DYO) of Broken Bow serves the community by helping further sports in Custer County. Their goal is to allow every Custer County youth the opportunity to participate in baseball and softball.
“Our goal is to make sure all the youth of Custer County have an opportunity to play baseball or softball and get a good positive experience with it,” DYO President Tom Griffith said. “Most people on the board are very passionate about baseball and softball for youth, whether it was an experience as they were growing up or later in life playing softball and just want to make sure youth are exposed to it or have the opportunity to play it.”
The organization makes sure every young person has a chance to play in the area by keeping their prices to register affordable, compared to areas with similar type organizations.
“The way the program is set up, teams like our Spirit softball in bigger cities would have to pay $500 or $600,” Griffith said. “Right now in Broken Bow, it cost $100.”
Youth who are still developing and finding a love for the game playing T-Ball pay only $20, a
Editor’s note: - Summer is in full swing! Are you looking for something to do? Service organizations do so much for local communities and they are always on the search for new members. This week the Custer County Chief highlights the DYO. Previous articles have featured the Lions, Optimists, Rotary, Elks and Salvation Army.
small price to get a child interested in a sport that not only teaches discipline but teamwork as well.
Unfortunately, the organization wasn’t able to offer T-Ball and other younger kid leagues this year due to COVID-19, but plan to have them back next year.
Because the group is heavily volunteer-based, fundraising plays a huge role in making sure the program succeeds and is here for future generations.
Some of the fundraisers include a banner program, shirt and short sponsors, different types of raffles, and photos that parents can purchase of their children.
The banner program is offered to businesses around Custer County. They can buy a 4’x8’ or 2’x4’ banner to be displayed on the field. Shirt and short sponsorship is often done at the younger age groups and allows a business to sponsor a baseball or softball team.
The organization usually does a raffle during the season as well. In the past, they have raffled various things from a $500 gift certificate to a local grocery store, a bundle of beef, tickets to a Kansas City Royals game, and tickets to the College World Series in Omaha.
Usually, with the raffle, the organization tries to stay in the $500 to $700 price range.
The newest form of fundraising for the group has been the Spirit Softball tournament that the organization puts on. It has quickly turned into a big tournament gaining lots of attention.
In its first year, last year the tournament drew in 20 teams. This year it has increased in size and is expected to have 36 teams, with some coming from as far as Omaha.
“As long as the weather holds and it doesn’t get too hot, it should be a good weekend for it,” Griffith said.
The tournament is to be held this Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 12 at Melham Park and Tyke Arnold Field in Broken Bow.