Baseball & Athletics
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is committed to supporting programs through both the Mets and within the community that directly impacts athletes. From investing in youth baseball and softball leagues and programs to support these athletes’ development, to funding a Wheelchair Softball tournament at Citi Field, the Foundation’s support removes financial barriers and enables athletes of all ages to pursue their chosen sport.
Since June 2021…
Over $2.2 million has been committed to support baseball and athletic programs.
Junior Mets
The Junior Mets Baseball Program aims to introduce the game of baseball and softball to local youth at an early age, create access for underserved groups, and develop skills and fundamentals that help foster a lifelong love for the game.
This program offers no-cost educational clinics, baseball curriculum lessons, and provides equipment and ticket donations to local athletes, helping pave the way for the future of the sport.
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation invests in youth baseball through three core pillars: Introduction to the Game, Access to the Game, and Skills & Development of the Game.
Introduction to the Game:
- Fun At Bat
Access to the Game:
- Sandlot Stars
- Field Renovations
- Junior Mets Baseball Camp
- Mets Nike RBI Team
- Coach Development Program
Skills & Development of the Game:
- Junior Mets Clinics
Introduction to the Game
Fun At Bat
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation and USA Baseball have partnered to bring young athletes a unique baseball & softball experience known as Fun At Bat.
Through this program, kids learn every aspect of the game from fielding and throwing to batting, all while placing an emphasis on character development, functional movement, literacy, active play, and fun! The overarching goal of the program is to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children while teaching them the fundamentals of baseball and softball.
The New York Mets work with schools (grades K-5) all over the region to bring the Fun At Bat program to P.E. classes in order to grow the game and get more kids interested in the sport. Since 2022, 300 local elementary schools have received equipment and Mets branded curriculum and more than 150,000 students have been impacted by the program.
If you know of a school or P.E. teacher that might be interested in learning more or implementing Fun At Bat at their school, please reach out to [email protected].
Access to the Game
League Sponsorship
Low-income children are six times more likely to quit sports due to overwhelming costs of pay-to-play fees and equipment. To combat this, the Mets identify local little leagues to donate equipment and uniforms. The Amazin’ Mets Foundation will be supporting a local little league to ensure that baseball is accessible to all.
Sandlot Stars
The Foundation supports Pitch In For Baseball & Softball to fund the purchase of brand-new equipment for local youth baseball, softball, and t-ball teams.
Through the Sandlot Stars program, the Foundation has provided brand new equipment to more than 9,000 youth baseball and softball players across the Tri-State area, Port St. Lucie, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
Field Renovations
Creating safe, high-quality spaces for young athletes is a top priority of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation.
In collaboration with Mets Ballpark Operations, LandTek, and the New York City Parks Department, the Foundation identifies and renovates local fields.
Since 2023, the Foundation has contributed nearly $2 million to fully fund renovations of local baseball and softball fields throughout Queens, with new irrigation, drainage, dugouts, and infields.
Coach Development Program
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation Coach Development Program is a key component to combatting one of the foundational issues that kids face: lack of access.
In collaboration with the Center For Healing & Justice Through Sport (CHJS), this program provides an opportunity to connect local baseball and softball coaches with high quality learning materials and practice plans which better prepares them to face the complex, rewarding position of being a youth baseball/softball coach.
CHJS is a national nonprofit organization working to ensure that more young people and athletes have access to sport experiences that are healing-centered, inclusive, and work to address issues of systemic injustice.
Skills & Development of the Game
Baseball & Softball Clinics
Mets players, coaches, alumni, and front office staff help bring the game to life by leading skills clinics at Citi Field and in surrounding communities, offering youth athletes a chance to learn directly from professionals.
For more information on how to participate in an upcoming Junior Mets Baseball Clinic, please reach out to [email protected].
Junior Mets Baseball Camp
As part of its ongoing commitment to increasing access to the sport, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation teams up with USA Baseball to host a two-week Junior Mets Baseball Camp each year.
Camp sessions are divided by age group, with one cohort for 8- to 10-year-olds and another for 11- to 12-year-olds. More than 200 local children of all skill levels participate annually, developing their baseball and softball fundamentals under the guidance of USA Baseball-certified coaches.
For more information on how to participate in an upcoming Junior Mets Baseball Camp, please reach out to [email protected].
