July 2, 2024, Columbus, OH —  In support of their ongoing partnership, Points 2 Success (P2S) attended Driving Park Community Center’s annual All-Star Baseball Game and Home Run Derby. Driving Park’s youth baseball program has approximately 140 players of all ages and skill levels. Leagues range from tee-ball, to coaches pitch games, to under 10 to 13-year-olds (u10-13) playing standard baseball. For the all-star game, twelve players were selected from the u10-13 league to square off with the all-star team representing NIAA Baseball from the Columbus City School League. 

Upon arrival, P2S congratulated the players for making the all-star team and presented them with customized swag bags. The swag bags included P2S water bottles and drawstring bags by 4imprint. Athletes were also provided Gatorade, snacks, and commemorative 2024 all-star game t-shirts from Madison Print Shoppe in Cincinnati.

Driving Park trailed most of the game with the score at 3-2 heading into the bottom of the innings. The pitching staffs for both teams were stout. In the bottom innings, Driving Park secured the win by using a combination of several pitchers. They mounted a ferocious comeback led by Anthony “L.A.”  W. L.A. displayed an outstanding eye after reaching a full ball count to earn a walk. L.A. scored when Myles C. ripped a shot into the outfield, sliding into home plate to win the game with a final score of 4-3.

Anthony ‘L.A.” W. was named Dick’s Sporting Goods Player of the Game and was also the winner of the Home Run Derby from NIAA Baseball. He was awarded a Buffalo Wild Wings Gift Pack.

“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Driving Park Community Center,” said Samuel Porter, Executive Director of P2S. “Keeping youth productive and involved in underrepresented sports is our main focus. Driving Park has built a huge foundation with the help of Millard Morgan and his coaching staff. Parental support has also been a huge factor in helping these young men flourish.”

“We appreciate Points 2 Success for their continued support of our youth and for traveling down from Cincinnati on multiple occasions,” says Millard Morgan, Assistant Director of Driving Park Community Center.

About Points 2 Success

Points 2 Success (P2S) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing minority youth athletes with a platform to better navigate through underrepresented sports. P2S serves as a resource for athletes and parents to help guide them through some of the challenges, both on and off their prospective playing fields, with hopes of engaging athletes in underrepresented sports such as soccer, golf, tennis, lacrosse, and volleyball. In addition, P2S supports young athletes with valuable information and guidance to allow them to develop into college-level athletes. For more information about Points 2 Success, visit Points2Success.org.

Contact: Samuel Porter, samuel.porter@points2success.org

About Driving Park Community Center 

Driving Park Community Center is operated by Columbus Recreation and Parks and has been serving the community since the late 1970’s. It is one of 29 recreation centers associated with Columbus Recreation and Parks. Columbus is a diverse community and Columbus Recreation and Parks is committed to creating and promoting an equitable, diverse and inclusive culture across all public spaces, facilities and programs. Columbus Recreation and Parks partners with nonprofits to provide programs, services, and education opportunities to the local communities they serve. For more information about Driving Park Community Center, visit their website.

Contact: Millard Morgan, mdmorgan@columbus.gov