Americans Pitch in to Save Town's Little League Program

Thanks to the generosity of baseball fans across the U.S., 450 kids can continue to participate in the youth baseball program in Greenfield, Ohio.

Earlier this year, the story of the town's decision to cut youth sports funding due to severe economic difficulties was covered in the national media.

The Associated Press reported on the efforts of a group of men who, calling themselves the Gang of Nine, volunteered their time and organized money-raising efforts to help rescue the program.

They held a raffle and pancake supper, fixed up the ballpark, and took charge of maintaining it. Despite their best efforts, however, the fund still came up short.

That's when ordinary Americans stepped in to help. Calls have come from across the nation, and Greenfield has received numerous donations of both money and equipment.

Some generous donors found the volunteers an inspiration and were moved to help out, others wanted to make sure the town's youngsters had hope, and some admitted they just loved baseball.

"It kind of brings you to your knees," volunteer Fred Everhart told the Associated Press. "It's boosted our spirits. We were coming in on a wing and a prayer."