“Our mission is to make play accessible to everyone,” said Taylor Burke, a Marketing Specialist for Paul’s Pals in Minnetonka. “The JP4 Foundation’s mission is to make baseball accessible to everyone. Our missions align, but the JP4 Foundation is more specific and a great support system for us.”
A group of men stand on the baseball field at 42nd Street and Dupont Avenue in North Minneapolis. Conversation flows between plans for the morning’s camp and the latest happenings in the world of baseball. The men’s knowledge of the sport and comfort with their roles for the day is clear when children as young as five begin to race along the fenceline.
The renaming of a small and successful non-profit organization traditionally doesn’t send strong emotions and excitement through the lives of young athletes, but Johnny Price IV was far from your traditional young person. A stand-out baseball player, Price was even more well known for being an incredible teammate and person than he was as a top-ranked college baseball recruit out of Minnesota.
You might be passionate about ice fishing, but 24 hours straight? That’s what Cory Glieden did on Lake Waconia one Friday earlier this month – he ice fished around the clock. The goal was to catch as many fish as possible in a 24-hour period to raise money for The JP4 Foundation.
Manicured, the grass is not. The outfield isn’t fenced, and the infield dirt is neither lined nor raked.The patchy, scarred, multi-colored outdoor space is devoid of any diamond shape.Yet it is a field of dreams.Kids bike, ride buses and even walk to Battle Creek Middle School to participate in a free summer baseball camp. Everything is provided: snacks, water, lunch, balls, bats and gloves, an...
VADNAIS HEIGHTS — Born out of the idea that any child should be able to play sports regardless of their family’s financial stability, The JP4 Foundation began in 2016 on the back of the well-known Minnesota Blizzard Baseball program.Despite similar names, The JP4 Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Vadnais Heights that used the Blizzard Baseball brand to get instantly reco...
Vadnais Heights (December 16, 2017) – The JP4 Foundation hosted a baseball-themed, activity-packed evening for Minnesota Blizzard players and children from HopeKids Minnesota. The event included a baseball clinic, followed by pizza and a movie. For the Minnesota Blizzard players, the highlight of the evening was the relationship building with HopeKids.HopeKids provides ongoing events, activitie...
December 4th marks the anniversary of the saddest day in Blizzard history – the death of our own Johnny Price. Our beloved teammate is greatly missed; his smile, his laugh, and his incredible outlook on life.As a tribute to Johnny, The JP4 Foundation created the Johnny Price Memorial College Scholarship to honor Johnny and his contribution to the Blizzard program. Our vision is to see his legac...
This past weekend The JP4 Foundation provided service learning opportunities for Minnesota Blizzard Baseball 15U and 16U team.On Saturday, the Minnesota Blizzard Baseball 15U team spent the morning with Reach for Resources bowling at Park Tavern. Reach for Resources’ mission is to support individuals with disabilities and mental illness to reach their full potential. The Blizzard players spent ...
