Diamonds in the Rough program rewards Jack Berney, 7, with $10,000 and a dream baseball trip
MILWAUKEE, April 23 /PRNewswire/ — If you’re not inspired by the grand prize winner of the 2008 Diamonds in the Rough youth baseball contest, you don’t know Jack. Jack Berney that is, a 7-year-old from suburban Cleveland who shared his story about how playing baseball taught him lessons to help overcome a challenge on or off the field.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080423/AQW037)
Berney has won $10,000 and a Snapper(R) SE series walk-behind lawn mower for his home baseball field in Strongsville, Ohio, and a trip for four to New York to see a game in the final season of Yankee Stadium. Diamonds in the Rough is sponsored by Briggs & Stratton Corp., the leading manufacturer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment.
“I’m proud to be involved with a program that celebrates the character and enthusiasm kids bring to America’s Pastime,” said Diamonds in the Rough spokesman and baseball great, Tino Martinez. “Congratulations to our winner, Jack Berney, who found the power within himself to support his team while facing adversity.”
After breaking his arm, Berney was destined to a season on the sidelines of the Strongsville Tee Ball league. Instead of sulking, he enthusiastically attended all of his games to root on his teammates. In the final game of last season, Berney’s coach, Dan Foust, brought him in to bat as a reward for his dedication. Berney responded by socking a one-handed triple that inspired his teammates and community alike.
Berney also inspired the thousands of people who chose his story from the 20 regional finalists in an online vote. The other 19 winners will bring home $5,000 for their home baseball field. The stories can be viewed at http://www.briggsdiamondsintherough.com/.
The Strongsville community will benefit from the Diamonds in the Rough program for years to come. Berney has asked that his prize money to go toward a new scoreboard and bleachers for his home field. In five years of Diamonds in the Rough, Briggs & Stratton has given more than $500,000 to refurbish youth baseball fields across America.
“We’ve learned during our 100-year history that people who use Briggs & Stratton engines demand excellence from themselves,” said Anita Fisher, marketing communications manager, Briggs & Stratton. “We’re thrilled to recognize kids who do the same thing at an early age while giving back to the communities we serve.”
About Briggs & Stratton
Briggs & Stratton Corporation is the world’s largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment. Its wholly-owned subsidiary Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group LLC is North America’s No. 1 manufacturer of portable generators and pressure washers and is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of lawn and garden and turf care with its Simplicity(R), Snapper(R), Ferris(R) and Murray(R) brands. Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured, marketed and serviced in more than 100 countries on all seven continents.
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Source: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
CONTACT: Katie Heldstab, +1-414-227-3440, kheldstab@ckpr.biz, for Briggs
& Stratton Corporation
Web site: http://www.briggsdiamondsintherough.com/
