Bethesda Big Train Baseball is a nonprofit summer baseball team that plays in the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. Founded by two local leaders, John Ourisman and Bruce Adams, its mission is to raise funds to improve the quality of youth baseball and softball fields in Montgomery County and the District of Columbia. Bethesda Big Train athletes become role models for local children each summer. Since 1998, Bethesda Big Train has raised over $350,000 to improve the fields where local kids play.
The Story of how it all began:
 | In late 1997, a group of community leaders began discussions of how we might improve the conditions of youth baseball and softball fields in Montgomery County, Maryland and in the District of Columbia. The group was motivated by the value of youth sports to the development of character and citizenship. Excellent non-profit organizations have been established in our region to support youth sports. The playing conditions of the fields, however, are not always adequate.
In April 1998, the Bethesda Community Base Ball Club (BCBBC) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland and is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. As part of the Montgomery County commitment to the National Promise to Our Children & Youth, BCBBC made this promise: "The Bethesda Community Base Ball Club, Inc. promises to raise money to improve the quality of youth baseball fields in Montgomery County and the District of Columbia. We begin by making improvements to the baseball field at Cabin John Regional Park in order to field a team of college players in the Clark C. Griffith Collegiate Baseball League starting in the summer of 1999. Proceeds from the team will go to improving little league baseball and softball fields at schools and in parks."
Through the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission's related Montgomery County Parks Foundation, the BCBBC raised one million dollars in cash and through in-kind contributions to build Shirley Povich Field for these summer college baseball games. Virtually all the people involved with BCBBC, including the president and board, are volunteers.
BCBBC has created an atmosphere where athletes attending college become role models for children each summer. We are working closely with existing youth based organizations, including Bethesda-Chevy Chase Baseball, and the Rockville Baseball Association. We also run a summer camp where our players and coaches teach local young stars. The value of sports to the development of full and contributing citizens is well documented. BCBBC is dedicated to providing a community-based and family friendly approach to improving the lives of our young people.
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Check out these other links:
Our Mission
Our Inspiration
Povich Field
Baseball Links
Quickie: The Bethesda Big Train is a summer college baseball team that plays in the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League
Quickie: Big Train players come from all over the country and rely on host families to take care of them during their stay in the area.
Interested in hosting a player? click here
The Richards family hosted Bryan Thomas in 2006. Photo courtesy of Next Door News.
 Click here to listen to a 10 minute history of Big Train baseball that appeared on WAMU's Metro Connection on July 23, 2004
The Bethesda Community Base Ball Club is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. Our tax identification number is 52-2092719. |
