On BASE: Baseball and Softball Everywhere
The Seattle Mariners believe that all young athletes should have access to the games of baseball and softball, regardless of the barriers they may face. The Mariners commit to increase positive health outcomes through baseball and softball by creating access, removing barriers and building a culture of inclusion.
Within the last three years, OnBASE has developed skills training for area coaches, offered skills-building youth clinics and camps across Washington and Oregon, defrayed the cost of registration fees and awarded grants to high school baseball and softball programs in underserved communities.
COMMUNITY: HOME BASE
In response to the community homelessness crisis, the Seattle Mariners helped establish Home Base, an eviction prevention program in partnership with United Way of King County and King County Bar Association. Within the program’s first six months, Home Base provided legal assistance to 1,069 households and financial assistance to help 405 households avoid eviction. Home Base strives to help prevent up to 4,000 evictions each year, the leading cause of homelessness.
MARINERS CARE SILENT AUCTIONS
At every home game, the mariners have an auction going on together with the game. All the money coming out of those bids are designated to Mariners Care. The fans can bid on signed jerseys, as well as signed baseballs, and some more unique objects, such as a game-used bat. Since 2000, the Silent Auctions have raised over $1.86 million for Mariners Care.
DREAM TEAM EDUCATION
Schools across the Pacific Northwest request the Mariner Moose help. What the Mariners do is then go to that school and deliver the importance of the DREAM Team principles: staying Drug-free, Respect for yourself and others, Education through reading, Attitude, and Motivation. For kids this is a wonderful experience and it is a great way to get the message to them.
Along the same lines, Mariners players, broadcasters, and staff traveled to four local elementary schools on June 21, 2019 to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the program. The event enabled the team to deliver a positive message to over 2,000 students.
HEALTH
The Seattle Mariners go to hospitals across the Pacific Northwest. Mariners players, coaches and the Mariner Moose visit kids and adults at local children’s hospitals and VA hospitals to help raise the spirits of patients and their families. This allows kids who are having a hard time spend some time with their idols and get a smile on their faces.
