The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation announced the seven recipients of its 2012 youth baseball and softball grants. The check presentation ceremony took place prior to the Texas Rangers game against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, September 25. Grant recipients were selected based on submissions from organizations within the team's five-state broadcasting region.

Throughout the more than 20 years that the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation has been in existence, it has constructed 12 baseball fields and supported thousands of children playing for RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) and Miracle League. 2012 marks the first year the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation will allocate financial grants through a formal process to support baseball and softball in the Texas Rangers broadcasting territories of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

The grant program is part of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation's commitment to supporting the growth of the sport and making sure that all children who want to play baseball or softball are offered that opportunity.

Organizations were asked to complete a proposal describing how funding from the grant would allow them to give youth in their area the opportunity to play either baseball or softball. The winners were selected based need and the ability of the proposed program to improve baseball programs in their local areas. Fox Sports Southwest helped to promote the grant program throughout the Rangers entire television territory.

This year's awardees are: Paris Breakfast Optimist Club, Boys and Girls Clubs of Denison, East Wilco Challenger Sports, Battiest Baseball Team sponsored by Battiest Public School, RBI Austin, Arlington Girls Softball Association and Azle Little League.

Below is a full-listing of the 2012 recipients.

• Paris Breakfast Optimist Club
  Funds will be used to renovate dugout conditions to help improve the game experience for young players.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Denison
  Funds will be used to start baseball and softball camps and leagues for area children who have not had the opportunity to play baseball before. For the program's first year, the expectation is to have 200 children play in the league and 150 players to participate in camps.
• East Wilco Challenger Sports
  Funds will be used to help support a baseball field for players with special needs.
• Battiest Baseball Team (Battiest Public School)
  Funds will be used to support the baseball team in Battiest Oklahoma through the purchase of equipment and uniforms. Battiest is a rural school district located in McCurtain County. Nearly 60% of the students are Native American and 85% are considered at or below the poverty rate.
• RBI Austin
  Funds will be used to launch Jr. RBI on Campus, a mentoring and baseball/softball program for an underserved school. RBI Austin currently serves boys and girls ages 4-18 through free baseball clinics, low cost summer leagues and year-round mentoring. Jr. RBI on Campus will be the first formal on-campus mentoring program.
• Arlington Girls Softball Association
  The Arlington Girls Softball Association is the largest softball association in Arlington. Funds will be used to support the growth of the program and provide equipment for players.
• Azle Little League
  Funds will be used for field improvements. Nearly 700 area youth participate in the league each year.

About Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation: The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children in need within our community and provides funding for youth in crisis, youth health initiatives, youth baseball programs, and youth education. Celebrating its 21st year, the Foundation has given back more than $12 million to help children in need.