History of the Redbirds

History & the Future of the Calgary Redbirds Baseball Club

Jim Lawson owner and head coach of Pro Baseball Force (PBF) has been working with young baseball players for over 30 years including 12 years in the Calgary area.  It’s through those many relationships he built over the years that encouraged him to expand into the spring and summer months. Parents and players were looking to Jim & PBF to build a higher level of baseball in Calgary offering more options for competitive play. Parents at all age groups were interested in a travel/tournament schedule with an increased focus on structured development and practices. Hence the Calgary Redbirds thought was born.

Mission Statement

Calgary Redbirds Baseball Club together with Pro Baseball Force will work diligently to establish and maintain a successful and respectable program. The foundation for this program will be built on such principles as pride, respect, team, and individual accomplishments. We will realize that our pursuit of such ideals pertain not only to the baseball field but more importantly in life. We as individuals, and as a team, will be proud of who we are and what we represent.

Values, Principals and Objectives

Calgary Redbirds Baseball will operate with integrity and accountability, and will look to its board, coaches, parents and players to consistently demonstrate respect in their relations with fellow members of our baseball community. We will strive to achieve excellence. We will commit to play with passion, effort and an attitude that enhances the continued pride, integrity and tradition of the Redbirds Organization.

Ø  Purpose is to provide a quality platform for talented athletes, 19 years and younger

Ø  Committed to the advancement of youth baseball and the youth baseball player through proper instruction and the scheduling of competitive games and tournaments

Ø  It is our goal to have the youth baseball player receive the maximum amount of exposure and help him advance to their utmost potential in their baseball career

Ø  Ensure coaches and parents demonstrate patience and respect when interacting with all players

Ø  Provide a progressive compliment of training and divisional programs aspiring to achieve excellence in both coaches and players

Ø  administer and develop a board of directors responsive to the needs of the Organization observe our values

The Calgary Redbirds Baseball Club is a separate legal entity from Pro Baseball Force Inc. (PBF).  Calgary Redbirds is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the Societies Act of Alberta, formed by Jim and Trudy Lawson; Founders and Executive Board.  Decisions of the Redbirds organization are presented and discussed with our elected Board of Directors however the management and control of the Organizations overall affairs are vested with the Founders. On the other hand PBF Inc. is a private company owned by Jim Lawson. While working closely together both have very different functions. PBF focuses on fall/winter Travel Teams and a winter training program that is designed to supplement players’ regular season play regardless of organization (Little League/Babe Ruth/ Baseball Calgary), there is also no opportunity for fundraising. The Redbirds organization runs spring/summer “league” and is meant to replace the regular season providing full fundraising opportunities to fund 100% of the cost of the program.

Parent/Player Commitment

As with any not-for-profit sports organization we are dependent on volunteers – as we grow, our need for more volunteers and increased parent participation will continue to grow. Please take time to discuss the level of commitment required to make a successful season for your son/daughter. We are asking families to commit their time for the additional travel to games and tournaments and understand the major financial/fundraising commitment.  Families are also expected to commit their time to support and volunteer to assist with the running of the organization and the individual teams.