$3,235 raised by 18 donors
65% complete
$5,000 Goal
Take me out to the ball game!
From catching crabs by day to catching line drives at night, the watermen along the Eastern Shore would hang up their hand tongs at the end of the day and grab their baseball mitts to "Play Ball!" Throughout the decades, families living on the Eastern Shore embraced America's favorite pastime by forming community teams and traveling to neighboring towns for some friendly competition.
For the America/Maryland 250 Celebration taking place in 2026, our goal is to capture those "peanut and cracker jack" moments and create a new exhibit in the Smith Island Cultural Center dedicated to dedicated to baseball on Smith Island.
All donations are appreciated and will be put to good use. We've added some donation ranges for you to consider that support our fundraising initiative. Also listed are the item(s) you may be eligible to receive as a small token of our gratitude.
PEELER Donation Level $50.00 - $99.99
Jay Fleming, 2026 Life on the Chesapeake Bay Calendar or Smith Island Ornament from Smith Island Cultural Center
SOFT CRAB Donation Level $100.00 - $199.99
Dedication/Legacy Message on a Waterman’s Buoy to be strung from the wooden ceiling beam at the Smith Island Cultural Center (please see Media tab for example)
SOOK Donation Level $200.00- $349.99
Dedication/Legacy Message on a Waterman’s Buoy to be strung from the wooden ceiling beam at the Smith Island Cultural Center (please see Media tab for example) and a Jay Fleming Book, either Working the Water or Island Life
JIMMIE Donation Level >$350.00
Dedication/Legacy Message on a Waterman’s Buoy to be strung from the wooden ceiling beam at the Smith Island Cultural Center (please see Media tab for example) and a Jay Fleming Book, either Working the Water or Island Life and a Smith Island "Original" Cake from the Smith Island Bakery.
Thank you for making our "Field of Dreams" come true!
For more information, please see:
Smith Island United at smithislandunited.com
Smith Island Cultural Center at smithisland.org
Discover Smith Island at visitsmithisland.com
Jay Fleming at jayflemingphotography.com
Smith Island Bakery at smithislandbakeryllc.com
***Banner photo courtesy of Waterman, Cameron Evans Photography. All rights reserved.***
Securing the Future by Anchoring the Past.
As Maryland's only inhabited offshore island, the uniqueness of Smith Island is kept alive by a dedicated community that values generations-old traditions, the waterman heritage, and a distinctive way of life. Smith Island United and the Crisfield and Smith Island Cultural Alliance have joined forces to stewart this year's fundraising efforts to help protect a living piece of American History dating back over 400 years and to strengthen a small community with a big heart.
Take me out to the ball game!
For the America/Maryland 250 Celebration taking place in 2026, our goal is to capture those "peanut and cracker jack" moments and create a new exhibit in the Smith Island Cultural Center dedicated to dedicated to baseball on Smith Island.
All donations are appreciated and will be put to good use.
Organization name
Smith Island United & Smith Island Cultural Center
other names
Smith Island Collaborative
Tax id (EIN)
47-4841525
Impact/Cause Area
Community Improvement
Organization Location
Somerset
Counties Served
Somerset
Urgent Needs
Yes
Address
20978 CALEB JONES RD