Reds Announce Field Renovations in Clermont Co. Funded by Jay Bruce

The Cincinnati Reds announced today at the Batavia Township Community Center a series of commitments to the Clermont County Community that include plans for a UC Clermont College Cougars baseball home field funded by All-Star outfielder Jay Bruce.

Bruce announced plans for “Brian Wilson Field” at the Batavia Township Community Center. Jay is underwriting a major upgrade to one of the existing fields, which will become the new home for the University of Cincinnati Clermont College Cougars baseball team in 2013. Bruce is honoring Brian Wilson, the former Reds scout that discovered and signed him, along with several other Reds players, including Drew Stubbs, Logan Ondrusek and Sam LeCure – who were also on hand for the announcement.

Additionally, the Batavia Township Community Center will be the home of the Reds Rookie Success League of Clermont County, a free, coed, character-building summer baseball program for underserved kids ages 7-10. The program is underwritten and operated by the Reds Community Fund with support from UC Clermont College; the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce and many others.

The Reds Rookie Success League will debut in June in Clermont County at the Batavia Township Community Center. The program has operated in Cincinnati for ten years with additional franchises in Butler County (Fairfield), Louisville and Dayton. Participants receive fundamental baseball instruction from volunteer coaches as well as a character-based curriculum. The program is intended for boys and girls that would not otherwise have an opportunity to enroll in an instructional baseball camp. All expenses and transportation are paid by the Reds Community Fund.

The announcement came a year after Red’s President and CEO Bob Castellini spoke at the Clermont Chamber of Commerce luncheon and promised to have a greater presence in the community. “After that luncheon, our Development Director Meredith Delaney picked up the phone and called the Red’s Charley Frank and got the ball rolling so to speak,” said UC Clermont Dean Greg Sojka. “Today is the result of a lot of collaboration within the Clermont Community and with the Red’s organization,” said Sojka.   

Dean Sojka also thanked Jay Bruce and the Red’s organization on behalf of the community and asked the players to pledge to uphold and honor the memory of Brian Wilson as players and students on and off the field.

About Brian Wilson

:  Wilson spent 13 years in the Reds organization as a player, coach and scout. He died of a heart attack on June 17, 2006 at the age of 33, having already risen to the role of Texas Scouting Supervisor. He earned the reputation as one of the top evaluators and hardest workers in the Reds organization. He is survived by his wife Prairie and their three daughters, Carson, Conor and Curry.

Speaking at the announcement were:

- Marty Brennaman, Hall of Fame broadcaster

- Bob Castellini, Reds President and CEO

- Charley Frank, Reds Community Fund executive director

- Reds players Jay Bruce, Drew Stubbs, Logan Ondrusek and Sam LeCure

- Dr. Gregory Sojka, University of Cincinnati Clermont College Dean

- Joe Spriggs, University of Cincinnati Clermont College head baseball coach