This year will mark 100 years that the Cleveland Baseball Federation (CBF), an independent non-profit organization has successfully assisted the City of Cleveland's Recreation Department in the administration of its entire sandlot program. 

"Without CBF, free of charge recreational youth baseball/softball would not exist in the city of Cleveland."

Unlike other agencies, all of our programs are “free of charge” to any child and young adult living in Cleveland and East Cleveland, Ohio.  Playing organized sports aids in the development of responsibility, community, and perseverance.  In addition it provides a necessary respite from the every day stresses of every day life.

In 2006, Cleveland Indians Charities (CIC) selected CBF as their exclusive partner to operate a free-of-charge youth baseball and softball league serving the Cities of Cleveland and East Cleveland.  Under this agreement, CBF also operates Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities (RBI) program.  The purpose of the RBI program is to provide youth with a positive team-oriented activity that keeps its participants off the streets and challenges them both academically and physically.

 

The Cleveland Baseball Federation is the oldest youth sports organization in the country.

Historical overview by decade:

1910-1919       1920-1929        1930-1939        1940-1949        1950-1959        1960-1969       

1970-1979        1980-1989        1990-1999        2000-2010        A bit of CBF Baseball Lore    

1910-1919

• CBF is founded by a group of businessmen who had high-powered semi pro teams representing the City of Cleveland national tournaments.

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1920-1929

• CBF continued to assist in the sponsorship of these semi-pro teams as well as begin City leagues, which allowed players to “feed” these teams.

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1930-1939

• John Nagy becomes Commissioner and expands upon City leagues with the beginning
  of Class F, E, D, C, B, and A

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1940-1949

• As suburbs begin to form their teams participate in the various City leagues.
• To subsidize the program CBF and the Indians stage “Sandlot day”
• Century Club is formed to garner individual donations.

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1950-1959

• Muny Softball Association is formed - many CBF board members serve on both boards.

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1960-1960

• Corporate sponsorships, such as Revco, Fisher Foods, etc. are secured to underwrite the Class F program.

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1970-1979

• Muny Softball Association is dissolved.
• Softball program comes under the fiscal jurisdiction of the CBF.
• CBF and the City of Cleveland come to an agreement resulting in the CBF becoming a cooperative affiliate with the City of Cleveland.
• From then on CBF has offices at City hall.

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1980-1989

• Class F program as well as other programs begin to demise due to bussing and high school summer leagues.
• City BOE elimination of baseball higher costs and emergence of other sports.  Sandlot Day is discontinued.  Interest in the leagues begin to drop.

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1990-1999

• To revitalize the Board's and the City’s commitment to the programs Class F and other programs are fitted so that city youth have a total baseball program for ages 6-18. This results in a major growth rate.
• CBF institutes “Youth at Risk” seminars for participants in the age bracket of 10-18. They also develop a softball program for girls between the ages of 10-16.
• CBF further develops scholarship programs.
• CBF established a working partnership with the Cleveland Indian’s.
• CBF established a gift giving campaign as well as an annual Fundraiser, and a partnership with MLB Alumni to hold clinics at Jacobs Field now known as Progressive Field.

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2000-2010

• Although CBF had successful fund raising campaigns the group mourned the loss of their Director, Mr. John Peyton.
• A Grant from BASEBALL TOMORROW fund provided CBF the opportunity to build a youth diamond in the City of Cleveland. The Cleveland Baseball Federation could not have achieved this a great  accomplishment alone.
• A NEW COALITION is formed: an enhancement to any baseball field in Cleveland requires all parties to work under the rules of the City of Cleveland Parks and Development Department as well as the Department of Recreation. 
• To coordinate the building of this Premier Little League Park, CBF formed a coalition with the City of Cleveland, Cleveland building and Trades, and the Construction Employees.  The John Peyton Memorial Field, Diamond #6 became a reality. The groundbreaking ceremony was in September 2002.  The first game on the field was played  in June 2003.
• City of Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell issued a Proclamation in September 2002 recognizing CBF’s commitment to provide “leadership to ensure baseball programs which promote social and educational values to help Cleveland youth…continue to thrive for future generations.”
• Expansion of social awareness programs in partnership with The Health Museum of Cleveland

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A bit of CBF Baseball Lore

• In 1919 the first CBF weekday game was played between Goodyear and Firestone.
  
• In 1920 an indoor league was sponsored by CBF and consisted of 12 teams; games were played at Fairview grounds.
• In 1921 CBF hosted the National finals of the American Industrial Athletic Association.
• In the 1940's and 50's, CBF sponsored donkey baseball games as a fundraiser.

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