League City Area News

City Big League Dreams Sports Park

From the City of League City
October 31, 2005

League City— Close friends and fans of Houston Astros Pitcher Brandon Backe came together at the League City Big League Dreams Sports Park to watch the fourth and final game of the 2005 World Series all hoping their dreams would come true. But it was not to be as Backe was taken from the mound in the eighth inning and out of the batting order.

“I think he should have batted and maybe scored the run we needed,” said Backe’s former math teacher, Judy Merryweather. She told News 11 reporter Jason Whitely that she is still very proud of her former Algebra student. “Well I think they have nothing to be ashamed of,” said former Astros pitcher J. R. Richard as he watched the World Series come to an end on a big screen TV inside the Sport Park’s indoor soccer stadium.

Nearly 500 fans gathered for the Astros party “Back’n Brandon Backe” as he took the mound. Tickets for the event were only $2.50 but a $1.00 discount was offered to all those who didn’t wear socks as part of citywide show of support against the assault of the “White Sox.” Kids 12 and under were admitted free and they sprawled out on the artificial turf of the indoor soccer field to watch Backe keep Chicago away from home plate.

“Despite our loss this season we know the dream of another shot at the World Series is possible,” said Big League Dreams Sports Park manager Ed Farmer. “As we continue to work together with League City and our other sponsoring partners we may be watching future Astros play on these fields as they make their way to the World Series again.”

Funds collected at the door for this event have been donated to the League City YMCA. “We are going to use that money to help more children be involved in the YMCA,”said League City YMCA Director Lisa Renfroe.

“We knew that baseball and all sports were big in Texas,” stated Rick Odekirk, founder of Big League Dreams USA in Chino Hills, California, “but nothing compares to the excitement we are seeing right now at our League City facility because of the World Series.” The Big League Dreams Sports Park has six replica fields of major league stadiums including Chicago’s Wrigley field, Yankee Stadium, and Fenway Park.

Anyone wanting more information or interested in corporate sponsorship of events should contact Kelly Ferree of Big League Dreams at 281-316-3400.

“Backin’ Brandon Backe Night” at the League City Big League Dreams
23,000 Square Foot “Beehive”

From the City of League City
October 25, 2005

LEAGUE CITY—Anyone who cannot get tickets to Wednesday night’s World Series game can to come to the next best place—Big League Dreams Sports Park in League City. Big League Dreams will be broadcasting the World Series on a huge 15x20 projection screen that will be located in their 23,000 foot indoor pavilion, nicknamed “The Beehive”. It will also be broadcast on 24 televisions in their sports restaurant.

“We knew that baseball and all sports were big in Texas,” stated Rick Odekirk, founder of Big League Dreams USA in Chino Hills, California, “but nothing compares to the excitement we are seeing right now at our League City facility because of the World Series.”
Families are being encouraged to bring blankets and sit on the turf and watch Brandon Backe K.O. the Sox in Game 4. Seating is on first come basis. The park will open at 5:00 p.m. General Admission is $2.50 with all proceeds going to the League City YMCA. In accepting Houston Mayor Bill White’s challenge to “not wear socks” to support the Astros, anyone not wearing white socks and will receive $1 off the entrance fee. Kids under 12 in full baseball uniform (without sox) get in free. So, bring your family and a blanket and support your Astros and your local YMCA. “We support childrens’sports, whether at Big League Dreams, the YMCA or any organized youth activity,” stated Ed Farmer, General Manager of the League City facility.

The Big League Dreams Sports Park has six replica fields of major league stadiums including Chicago’s Wrigley field, Yankee Stadium, and Fenway Park. Anyone wanting more information or interested in corporate sponsorship of events should contact Kelly Ferree of Big League Dreams at 281-316-3400.