Stepping Up To The Plate

In the series finale, episode #267 of the Stepping Up to the Plate podcast, Dan Clouser sits down again with his producer and guest host, Toni Reece to talk about the 30 year body of work and new direction of the foundation. They reflect on the lives that the organization has impacted over the years as well as the impact that the foundation is positioning itself for in the future. Still focusing on stressing to young people the importance of giving back, the foundation is taking its “Work Hard, Play Hard” program to a whole new level as it has now created “Community Service Scholarships” which will allow young people from all over the country and all walks of life to take advantage of the leadership skills and life lessons in which sports can teach them. Dan also announces the exciting news that Ultimate Events and Sports Management Company will be taking over the tournament and team operations for the foundation moving forward. As one chapter in Dan’s life is closing, another is just beginning. Dan and

Stepping Up to the Plate's Host Dan Clouser continues his conversation with President and CEO of Riverfront FCU, Tim McLeod. He was brought on as an Agent of Change. In this podcast, Tim talks to Dan about his experiences with credit unions and managing. A lot of what he learned about management, time management, personal management through the military helped him acquire the skills he was able to apply to his role at Riverfront. Everything doesn’t fit into a box – you will need to adapt, and he wanted to help a business grow and not just babysit. He wanted something worth his time and that brought him to Riverfront. Listen to Part 2 and learn about Tim’s lessons in management.

Riverfront Federal Credit Union is about giving back to the community that they serve and they serve Berks County. This week on Stepping Up to the Plate, President and CEO Tim McLeod sits down with Dan Clouser to talk about how he connected with Dan Clouser to talk about how he connected with BIG Vision Foundation. Both Riverfront and BIG Vision Foundation have a similar viewpoint in terms of missions and love of sports.

It’s hard to believe that 30 years ago on October 17, 1989, I, as a young 20 year old man sat in room full of people presenting an idea that I was told would never work. At the time, it was starting the Spring-Lawn Optimist Baseball League and the Berkshire Red Sox Baseball Club. Later, the league evolved into the Quad-County Optimist Baseball League and the club evolved into what is today the BIG Vision Foundation. At that time, I would have never dreamed that it would sustain for 30 years, generating over $100 million in local economic impact and touching more lives in a positive way than I could ever imagine or put a number on. It truly has been an amazing journey filled with ups and downs, but far more ups than downs. Just as back in 1989 I would have never dreamed that that little idea would have blossomed into what it is today, I also would have never thought that today, on October 17, 2019, at the age of 50, I would be called to leave my comfort zone and start on a new journey. Please listen as m

Dan sits down with one of the newer BIG Vision Foundation board members, Jobany Bedoya to talk about what drew him to want to get involved with the organization. Jobany is the Small Business and Latino Outreach Coordinator for the GRCA and has an extremely busy schedule. He saw the value in what BIG Vision brings to the community and our youth to make time to get involved. He has been a huge asset to the organization since getting involved. Thanks for the conversation Jobany!

Anna Laible is only 14 years old and is 1 of only 10 kids sports reporters for Sports Illustrated Kids! She just started in early July and has already met and interviewed some big names in sports. Anna is a retired Level 8 gymnast who transitioned to softball. She attended the Jennie Finch Softball Camp here at BIG Vision Sports Complex two weeks ago and was able to interview Jennie, Leah, Toni and Crystl for the magazine. Learn more about her journey in this week’s podcast.

Dan Clouser hands over the hosting job to Yadriel Parrilla to have a conversation with his fellow teammates Elix Hernandez and Kenny Maysonet. This is a very special podcast, the players talk about the lessons they have learned through the opportunity to not only play baseball but what it has meant to be mentored by their "father" figure Dan Clouser!

Dan sits down with Berkshire Baseball player, BIG Vision Foundation employee and all around ambassador of fun for the organization Yadi Parrilla! Dan and Yadi talk about how the game of baseball and his experience with BIG Vision Foundation have impacted his young life.

Berkshire and Baseball Club Alumni, Eli Klick was invited to the BIG Vision Sports Complex to be a vendor promoting his business The Art of Catering. Eli played for our Berkshire Red Sox when he was 12-13 years old. He went to West Chester University where he learned that he had a passion for cooking and wanted to pursue that instead. Dan asked our Alumni, like others before him, how did playing the sport help and inspire him? Eli quickly thanked his Coach. He talked about the great opportunities Berkshire afforded him like friends, connections, and his work ethic. Check out his website www.theartofcatering.net to learn more about what he offers.

This Stepping Up to the Plate podcast was an unexpected surprise for Dan Clouser. During the Dog Days of Summer Tournament, Pete Savage, a former Berkshire Red Sox player dropped in on Dan at the BIG Vision Sports Complex. Seeing the complex online and through Dan’s pictures on social media he was intrigued to check it out for himself. Pete was a part of the Berkshire Red Sox Showcase between 2005- 2006 and helped the team to win the Desert Fall Classic in Las Vegas in 2006. He now resides in Richmond, VA and is a business owner. He talks with Dan about how his parents, teachers and coaches helped him learn the life lessons that has helped him succeed and grow into the person he is today.

Dan Clouser speaks to Dan Lewis of Game Day Sports! Dan Lewis was here representing Game Day Sports during a tournament weekend at BIG Vision Sports Complex. They are based out of Buffalo, NY so they wanted to take the opportunity to broaden their network. They were at the complex helping to create an experience for the teams that were visiting. Offering arm sleeves, jewelry, bags and so much more. Game Day Sports will be back for other tournaments to check out our tournament registration list.

Athlete’s Academy Owner, Cherifa Howarth wanted to help build confidence through sports, so she started her own academy. An athlete her whole life, Division I Field Hockey player for Temple University, mother of 2 athletic boys - she is an inspiration! Her Academy teaches speed, agility, strength training and so much more and she loves to be that mother figure including holding her athletes accountable. Dan and Cherifa talk about their love of coaching and the joy of teaching life lessons through sports!

Dan interviews Jackie Destafano, the Valley Forge Patriots Softball Coach. This is their 3rd year coming back to the BIG Vision Sports Complex for our fastpitch tournaments. Coach Destafano was a former softball player that began coaching 8 years ago. She was inspired by her coaches and wanted to become that positive influence to other young female players. She knows how much sports can teach life lessons. One of the things it has taught her is if you put effort into anything you can become successful. Dan also gets to sit down with the VF Patriots to get their thoughts on BIG Vision. We love that she and her team love the facility and are coming back throughout this season.

Schutt Sports representative, Beki Garcia was out at the BIG Vision Sports Complex during a weekend tournament showing off their products. Their Jack Corbett bases are the official bases of BIG Vision Sports Complex and are on all our fields. We are grateful for our partnership with Schutt Sports, who are also the official softball helmets for USA Team at the 2020 Olympics! Schutt started as a football helmet company and branched out into baseball, softnall and even lacrosse. You can customize your helmet anyway you like without compromising the quality and safety of your helmet. Listen and learn more about what they do and check out their website at www.schuttsports.com.

Beach Balls Hawaiian Shaved Ice has become a fixture on tournament weekends at the BIG Vision Sports Complex. Dan interviews Jennifer Wenzel, the mother of the Wenzel crew family-owned business. Beach Balls is a unique shaved ice establishment where you have unlimited access to up to 16 flavors! They are located on both North and South side of our complex. Find out why and how it all got started. (Check out our previous podcast with her sons Brad and Devon Wenzel)

A conversation with Francisca Reber. Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico over a year ago. Francisca Reber would like to continue to bring awareness to the needs that still need to be met. Over 4,000 lives were lost as a result of the hurricane some due to the lack of resources and essentials like water, food, etc. A chance meeting between Dan and Francisca turned into an invitation to the our complex to help broaden the relief efforts. Francisca and others from her church and community will be at Sam’s Club & Walmart until Mid-July. Please help where you can as we’re all in this together.

Guest Host, Toni Reece, interviews both Dan Clouser and Justin Schenck about what it takes to think BIG and have such an impact on other people's lives. This is an episode not to be missed. BIG Visions are everywhere!

In Part One of this Two Part series, Dan sits down with BIG Vision Foundation Board Member and fellow podcaster, Justin Schenck, to talk about both the amazing Growth Now Movement Live Event that Justin just hosted in downtown Reading as well his reasons for wanting to be involved on the BIG Vision Foundation board for the past two years. Justin is the Host of INC’s Top Rated Podcast, the Growth Now Movement! Great conversation between two visionaries!

In this third part of the 30th Anniversary series - Dan shares the evolution of Berkshire Baseball becoming BIG Vision and the realization that not only was this organization helping our youth but it was also becoming an important economic driver too! Moving forward and paying it forward - that's the spirit of BIG Vision!

Dan talks to Toni about the moment he realized that BIG Vision was more than baseball. Expanding the players social skills, providing a sense of community and developing leaders through the game of baseball has become the mission of BIG Vision.