Mets Community Insider – February Edition
Spring Training Clinic for Champions
The New York Mets hosted the annual Clinic for Champions at their Spring Training home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Clinic for Champions, which started in 2015, provides a unique opportunity for Special Olympic athletes to learn tips from Mets coaches and players.
Mets Owner and President of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation Alex Cohen and Manager Carlos Mendoza greeted participants as they arrived at Clover Park. More than 70 Special Olympic athletes participated in the clinic where they got to hit, field, catch, and throw with Mets coaches and players including Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Brett Baty, Tylor Megill, and Sean Manaea.
All participants received a Mets bobblehead and branded headband upon leaving.
Francisco Lindor Hosts Baseball Clinic for Local Youth
As part of his continual philanthropic efforts, on February 25, Mets Shortstop Francisco Lindor held a baseball clinic for children from SW Port St. Lucie Little League and Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County
at Clover Park.
The children first attended the Mets vs. Astros game and enjoyed lunch at the ballpark. They were later taught the fundamentals of the sport while having fun and learning the importance of sportsmanship.
Lindor was named the New York Mets 2023 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
Mets Expand ‘Fun at Bat’ Program
The Mets, in partnership with USA Baseball, are expanding the Fun At Bat program in 2024. The Mets are seeking 150 new school partners across New York City and the Tri-State area, which would total over 150,000 youth reached since launching the program in September 2022.
The Amazin’ Mets Foundation supported the Fun At Bat program with a $29,000 grant to USA Baseball to fund the new 150 participating schools.
This free program is available to all schools throughout the New York City and Tri-State area for grades K-5. Participating schools will receive quality equipment, USA Baseball Championship Principle books, and other resources. Physical education teachers will also have access to free online courses, which assist in teaching the fundamentals of the program.
All qualifying K-5 school administrators and physical education teachers can learn more and apply for Fun At Bat by visiting Mets.com/FunAtBat.
Schools that have previously received the program prior to 2022 are eligible to re-apply.
Celebrating Lunar New Year
The Mets Asian Impact Team Employee Resource Group hosted their second Lunar New Year Celebration at Citi Field. Guests were treated to a special lion dance performance from Awaken Lion, photo opportunities with Mr. & Mrs. Met, fun activities, and lunch in the Piazza Club.
The Mets are proud that Flushing is home to more Asian and Pacific Islander New Yorkers than any other neighborhood in New York City and were honored to bring the community together to celebrate the
Year of the Dragon!
Ya Gotta Read!, Presented by Delta Air Lines
Throughout the month of February, Mr. Met and Mets Front Office Staff visited local schools participating in the Amazin’ Mets Foundation’s Ya Gotta Read! program, presented by Delta Air Lines, to rally students and get them excited for the upcoming initiative.
In 2024, the Mets are partnering with 31 local elementary schools, impacting a total of 20,000 students.
The program launched on February 26 and continues for six weeks in conjunction with Mets Spring Training. The more minutes students read, the further they advance around the bases, and the more
Mets prizes they can earn.
Senior Smiles
As part of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation’s Senior Smiles program, the Mets Front Office Staff organized two impactful activities in February, dedicated to benefiting local New York City seniors.
On February 1, Mr. Met joined the Front Office Staff in volunteering at Encore Community Services in Manhattan. Together, they served meals, played trivia, and distributed special giveaways. Encore Community Services is a proud grantee partner of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation and delivers daily meals to nearly 1,300 home-bound older adults across New York City.
On February 26, the Foundation hosted a special Lunar New Year edition of Senior Smiles at the Chinese-American Planning Council’s Nan Shan Senior Center in Flushing, Queens. The event featured BINGO with local seniors. All participants received puzzle books and Senior Smiles-branded socks.
The Nan Shan Senior Center in Flushing provides seniors ages 60 and above with lunch, ESL classes, culture and art programs, education, and more. The Chinese-American Planning Council is also a proud grantee partner of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation.
