Big bucks for baseball

By Dave Roach
The Van Wert Independent

The First Bank of Berne presented a $20,000.00 check to the Van Wert Youth Baseball group Wednesday afternoon.  The donation will be used to build a new youth baseball facility at Jubilee Park.  Making the presentation were Kent Liechty, President of First Bank of Berne, and Rob Gamble, Van Wert branch Manager, to Eric McCracken, President of Van Wert Youth Baseball.  McCracken said the total cost of the new facility was $55,000.00 and this donation allows them to move forward with the project.  Plans call for ground breaking at Jubilee Park on Oct. 1^st with completion in early July.  McCracken said the new baseball facility with be used by over 600 youngsters each year in a four county area.

The First Bank of Berne will receive naming rights to the baseball facility.  Rob Gamble said the bank gives back a percentage of their profits every year to the communities they serve.  He added that this project was one they felt deserved their involvement.