Representatives from Subway came to Progressive Field Wednesday to present a $10,966.92 donation to the Cleveland Indians Charities Diamond Improvement Grant, which aims to develop baseball and softball in Northeast Ohio.

Cleveland Indians Charities has partnered with organizations in the community over the last 30 years to raise money for various causes, including the Diamond Improvement Grant. The grant assists particularly in local league funding, programming and renovation in playing fields to communities wanting to expand and improve the quality of youth baseball in the area.

One of our primary goals is to improve youth baseball and softball in Northeast Ohio, so those dollars will directly impact that goal and our ability to get kids interested in the game, Indians Executive Director of Community Outreach Rebecca Kodysh said. Having a good playing field is central to the experience of the game.

Subway is the latest organization to team up with the Indians to give back to the community through the Diamond Improvement Grant, and Kodysh said she is grateful for the partnership.

We really appreciate their support, Kodysh said. They have such a presence in Cleveland and in the communities we work with. Were really happy to have them involved and very thankful for their support.

Jeff Linden, a member on the Board of Directors for Subway, said he found that this donation was a good way to help strengthen the partnership that Subway and the Indians have developed.

We believe in what theyre doing, Linden said. We think its wonderful theyre helping out youth within our communities. Sports are very important for youth. It keeps them focused on positive goals, and we believe in that too.

Since 1989, Cleveland Indians Charities has donated more than $11 million to youth-oriented agencies and organizations of Northeast Ohio.