Fan Club Challenge

Firebirds Fan Club Challenge

Dear Property Owner in Orleans and Eastham…and Orleans Firebirds Fans!

The Orleans Firebirds have an urgent financial problem. Operating the team in 2009 and 2010 required a $50,000 loan, as the team lost money in both years. The impact of a weak economy, the costs of the name change from Orleans Cardinals to Orleans Firebirds, unusual weather and historically limited revenue resources hit the Firebirds hard. The Firebirds have never had a food concession, on-field signage, an on-going donor base or a Reserve Fund. Every other Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) team has most or all of these revenue sources. The Orleans Firebirds have a major challenge if this premier CCBL franchise is to remain viable.

A revitalized Orleans Athletic Association Board of Directors and the dedicated Firebirds volunteer corps have undertaken bold actions and changes to improve every area of revenue generation and financial discipline. We are optimistic about the Firebirds’ future, but our total debt of $86,900 must be paid off; the 30th Anniversary Firebirds Baseball Clinic must be dramatically upgraded to serve 75-100 youngsters each day; and a Capital Reserve Fund must be generated to ensure the team’s longer term viability and financial health.

A small group of generous and enthusiastic CCBL/Firebirds fans has created a $50,000 Challenge Fund to inspire 500-1,000 fans to join a “Firebirds Fan Club” and collectively match the $50,000 challenge. When successful, the Firebirds debts will be paid off; the Baseball Clinic will feature professional equipment and instruction along with exciting new programs; a solid core of donor fans will have joined the “Firebirds Fan Club”; and a Capital Reserve Fund will make certain this Orleans “treasure” will continue to attract and delight 40,000-50,000 baseball fans each summer in the town’s beautiful Eldredge Park. The OAA/Firebirds ask you to make sure the national pastime lives on in Orleans. Please donate $50, $100, $250, $500 or more to the “Firebirds Challenge”. We need you on the Firebirds team. Your donation will be an investment in our team; the Orleans, Eastham, and Outer Cape community; the local economy… and what baseball fans and many others believe is the very best about America!

Thank you.

Don LeSieur
President, Orleans Athletic Association