Why We Need Your Help

Before becoming the 2025 State Champions, the Little Hawks practiced, trained, and played their hearts out at Mercer Park. Thanks to a great partnership with the City of Iowa City, the baseball campus is being completely renovated, making Mercer Park an even more welcoming community space. While Iowa City and the School District contributed to the renovation, the School District has fallen short on its commitment due to its current financial situation. With the help of our Little Hawk baseball community, we need to raise money to finish the project.

We need batting cages!

Yes. You read that correctly: the District’s funding ran out before they built the batting cages. Fortunately, the project contractor McComas-Lacina is working with us to get the cages constructed as quickly as possible. It helps to know a Little Hawk! Even with their generous support, we need to raise funds to get the cages built ASAP!

We need a batting turtle backstop.

This is a newly needed safety feature now that Mercer Park has also become home to City High softball fields. With more players and families in closer proximity, this extra safety feature is a top priority. The cost for a portable batting turtle backstop is $8,000.

A Halo for home plate.

Thanks to the generosity of a member of the Little Hawk baseball family, our home plate will be surrounded by higher quality turf. A Halo prevents damage to the highly trafficked dirt-prone areas around home plate.

Championship signage and donor signage.

We think the 2025 State Champions deserve to be commemorated at the Park, especially after the passing of Parker Sutherland, who made extra sacrifices to get home to his team for the State Tournament. The 2025 Little Hawks made history, giving City High and Iowa City community something we can all be proud of. To purchase permanent signs to commemorate the team and to thank generous donors, we need to raise $6,000.

FlightScope Tracking Device

We will use this portable device in the bullpen, at batting practice, and during the game to improve our pitching and hitting. FlightScope measures the velocity, spin rate, and other metrics, using high-performance 3D Doppler radar. The team will use it at every practice and every game if generous donors are willing to contribute to the $15,000 price tag. Flightscope.com

Sponsorship Opportunities

Advertise your business on windscreen banners in the outfield!

• $1,500/year or $4,000/three years

• Windscreen banner dimensions: 16′ W x 8′ H

• Contact Andy Barnett (319-936-1401) at andybarnett72@gmail.com

Website Advertising: $100 – $500 Banner Ads on the City High Baseball Homepage

Donate Now and Make an Impact!

Every dollar counts toward our goal. Donations are tax-deductible (we’ll provide the paperwork). Securely donate via [Venmo/PayPal/Stripe integration] or mail checks to Iowa City High Baseball, 1900 Morningside Drive, Iowa City, IA 52245.

• Single ($250): Get on base with your support – receive a thank-you email and digital badge for social media.
• Double ($1,000): Advance the runners – includes the above plus a shoutout in our newsletter.
• Triple ($2,500): Drive in runs – all prior perks plus a personalized thank-you note from the team.
• Homerun ($5,000): Go yard for the program – all perks plus a custom engraved brick at Mercer Park
• Grand Slam ($10,000+): Hit it out of the park – all prior perks plus a custom engraved brick at Mercer Park

Questions about how to support the Little Hawks? Contact Brian Mitchell, 319-321-3990, blmitch13@gmail.com

What Players, Alumni and Parents Are Saying

• “The baseball team uses the indoor hitting facility a lot. Being able to also have something at Mercer would greatly benefit our team.” – Owen Hicks, Class of 2025, 2025 State Champion
• “These new facilities at Mercer will create great opportunities for more training and will also attract more players to City High’s baseball program.” – Drew Nye, Class of 2025, 2025 State Champion
• “Having top notch equipment and an updated baseball campus creates a winning environment and enhances our team culture. These changes will impact the Little Hawk Baseball program for years to come” – Jaxton Schroeder, Class of 2025, 2025 State Champion
• “Every spring and summer, the Little Hawks – and our youth teams – go to Mercer to practice and play. So many players will benefit from this investment in the community. – Cal Vitense, Class of 2026, 2025 State Champion
• “These improvements to the baseball campus will help us train more effectively and continue to develop both as a team and as individuals.” – Ben Klitgaard, Class of 2026, 2025 State Champion
• “We are thrilled by the investment the Iowa City Community School district has made in Mercer Park. Being off campus at Mercer Park creates challenges, but these challenges are offset by the investment from the district. We are grateful for the partnership with the City of Iowa City and the School District to make Mercer the best it can be. Having the proper training equipment, technology for competition and field functionality is vital in today’s game. Our kids understand dedication and the preparation required to perform at the highest level possible. We know the positive impact we’ve had on this community and look forward to your assistance to take us to another level!” – Coach Brian Mitchell

Thank you for investing in the future of Little Hawks Baseball. Let’s make Mercer Park championship-ready!