Comerica Bank Announces $20K Grand Slam Grant Program

A news release:

Comerica Bank will offer two $10,000 grants to Michigan public high school baseball or softball teams to help create, expand or improve their programs. Comerica will award grants to one high school from southeast Michigan and another from the central/west region. This is the fourth consecutive year of the Grand Slam Grant program.

“Comerica’s Grand Slam Grants support high school athletics and the team work and dedication they inspire -- qualities we value throughout the bank,” said Michael T. Ritchie, president, Comerica Bank-Michigan. “Growing up playing sports, I know firsthand the benefits it offers and I’m happy we can provide the same opportunity to the next generation of athletes.”

The grant recipients will be recognized on the field opening weekend prior to the Saturday, April 5 game against the Baltimore Orioles. In addition to the grant, each winning school will receive tickets to the opening weekend game.

Public high schools in Comerica’s markets of Southeast Michigan and Central/West Michigan region are eligible to apply for the Grand Slam Grant. One recipient will be chosen from each region. The funds can be used for field improvements, equipment, training camps, or other baseball or softball-related expenses. Schools can visit www.comerica.com to determine if their school is located in one of Comerica’s Michigan markets.

Grant applications will be reviewed for a variety of criteria including overall need, creativity, and school and community impact. The grant recipients will be selected by the Comerica Bank Grand Slam Grant Selection Committee, consisting of representatives from Comerica Bank and the Detroit Tigers, including Detroit Tigers outfielder Rajai Davis.

Eligible schools can download the grant application at www.comerica.com/grandslamgrant. Once complete, the application, along with supporting materials such as photos or videos must be submitted via email to grandslamgrant@comerica.com no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. 

Last year, Comerica awarded grants to the Cass Technical High School in the Southeast Michigan Region and Holland High School in the Central/West Region. Cass Tech’s baseball and softball teams used the funds to purchase new equipment and training material, as well as organize a little league camp. Holland High School’s softball team used the funds for field improvements, to purchase new equipment and to develop an extended training camp to help improve the program.