Gerald Smiley was a right-handed pitcher at Rainier Beach and was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the ninth round of the 2001 MLB Draft. He spent four years in the organization before injuries ended his playing career.
In 2011 he opened his own baseball academy in Frisco, Texas, and built a free app of training drills and coaching resources. He later returned to Seattle and, in fall 2016, took over the baseball program at his alma mater.
The program had almost no budget — players shared jerseys and used worn-out gear, and there was talk of disbanding the team. Smiley started a community fundraiser that brought in more than $42,000 for uniforms, equipment and travel.
In 2017 the Vikings went 10–11, matching the program's win total from the previous decade combined. His story is proof of what community support can do for Rainier Beach athletes.