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Saturday, January 20, 2001 Chipper giving back to Pierson Little League to tune of $75,000By SEAN KERNAN | News-Journal Staff Writer PIERSON — Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones will step up to the plate here at Chipper Jones Field next month and hit a home run for Northwest Volusia Little League in the form of a $75,000 donation. "I have a lot of fond memories from growing up in Pierson and a lot of them have to do with Little League baseball," Jones said Friday. "I wanted to take some time and give something back to the community. By setting up this donation as an endowment, this will enable the Little League to benefit for many, many years to come." Jones will make the official presentation during what is being touted as "Chipper Jones Day" by local Little League officials. A celebration of America's pastime and the town's baseball hero is planned at the baseball and softball complex off Washington Avenue on Feb. 17. "We're excited about it," said Erik Hagstrom, one of the local organizers. "We just want everybody to come out. We hope kids from other Little Leagues throughout the county come visit." The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be two Mizuno trailers featuring interactive games and displays for people to tour and Jones is expected to sign autographs for about two hours, according to his agent, B.B. Abbott of Jet Sports Management. Organizers are asking for a $5 donation to the local Little League for each autograph. "This is something Chipper has really wanted to do for a while," said Abbott, who also grew up in Pierson and has been one of Jones' closest friends. "He was talking about doing this last year. He's cut back on his appearances and marketing this year a little bit so he can do some more of the fun things like this." The event also will act as a kickoff for the Chipper Jones Family Foundation's 2001 charitable works, Abbott said. Other major projects are planned, including contributions to build and refurbish inner-city baseball diamonds in Atlanta, various programs with the Boys and Girls Clubs and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and a golf tournament for Stetson University's baseball program and the Boggy Creek Camp is Casia. Jones, the 1999 National League Most Valuable Player, signed a six-year, $90-million contract extension near the end of last season. He recently purchased a ranch in Texas, where he has spent the off-season with his wife and children. His parents, Larry and Lynne Jones, also moved from Pierson to operate the Southwest Texas ranch. Chipper's parents also will be at the festivities, and there are plans being made for an alumni baseball game Feb.16 at Taylor High School. This will be the second "Chipper Jones Day" ever held here. Following the 1995 season in which the Braves won the World Series, Jones was honored by his hometown with a ceremony at Pierson Elementary School and had both a baseball field and the road leading to it named after him. HICI Special Report — Sports: Hometown Heroes |
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