Greetings Coaches, parents and players. Welcome to the new CD 2027 baseball tournament website. I think a review of how we got here is important.
My CD relationship with the St. Bernadette ball fields began in 2022 when I rented field time. In 2023, as the number of CD teams expanded, I took over the field rental of the entire ball park. After agreeing to a five-year rental, I began significant improvements: rebuilding infields, seeding/fertilizing/strawing outfields, constructing all new enclosed dugouts, new sideline/infield/outfield fencing, dugout fencing, bullpens, security cameras, a commercial flagpole, 3 new trees, new storage shed, new containment concession stand, repairing drainage; these investments totaled over $100,000.00.
My goal was to create a ballpark that the CD organization, its players, their families, and the Parish could be proud of. I envisioned a home for our baseball teams and a venue for tournaments, supporting not only our organization and the St. Bernadette Parish community, but also the many players who enjoy playing on quality dirt infields in a family friendly environment.
Having never organized, directed, or sponsored a tournament before, I reached out to Tony Cappel (Tournaments for a Cause), to help put St. Bernadette on the Select baseball tournament venue map. Together we hosted successful tournaments for 2 years. I will always be thankful for Tony’s professionalism and experience he shared with me during those two years. He runs clean tournaments and is generous in supporting worthy causes.
In 2026, Dave McCann (MVP tournaments) approached me about hosting events at the St. Bernadette Cincinnati Defenders home ball fields. Together we gave it a go and had some success notwithstanding bad luck with weather. Dave McCann (MVP) also runs a successful tournament program year in and year out. However the $10 dollar entry fee coupled with a strong likelihood that a team who schedules to play at our ball fields in Amelia Ohio could end up playing anywhere in the Cincinnati area is just not the right business model for me. I am proud to announce the formation of the 2027 CD Baseball tournament venue, hosted and directed by myself with much support from seasoned baseball enthusiasts.
Additional improvements for 2027 will include batting cages, plus the addition of 5-6 tons of field conditioner professionally supplied by Advanced Turf Solutions. I promise these will continue to be the best maintained dirt fields in the tri-state.
Today I stand ready to support our youth in every team uniform. I feel very strongly that youth sports are crucial for child development, fostering physical health, emotional resilience, and social skills. Youth Baseball promotes stronger motor skills, improved self-esteem, and discipline. Good coaches, such as the ones who have brought their team to our ball fields in the past, teach teamwork, leadership, and the importance of acceptance of failure, thus preparing them for future success.
Praise be to God, and may God bless and enable us to move forward together with unity and purpose as we continue this baseball journey into 2027 and beyond.
Bill Rapp