Walpole Island has a brand new ball diamond, courtesy of some major league support. 
The Jays Care Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Toronto Blue Jays organization, stepped up to renovate the diamonds on Austin Rd over the last year, with the new facility was unveiled on National Aboriginal Day.
Robert Witchel, Foundation Executive Director says the investment was substantial.
“We invested $136,000,” Witchel says. “it was part of a very comprehensive application that the community put together.”
The applications are ranked on over 40 criteria.
“We’re looking at socioeconomic environment, we’re looking at how many volunteers are in the community that can lead programs for kids,” Witchel explains. “What the investment will lead to in terms of more kids having the opportunity to play, and the frequency that they can play.”
Witchel says more than 60 applications were received last year with around a dozen projects approved.
The event was recorded by Sportsnet and rebroadcast on last night’s Jays-Rangers game.
