Major League Baseball
Since Major League Baseball® designated BGCA as an official charitable partner in 1997, this robust relationship has given countless youth the chance to realize their dreams both on and off the field.
Club Kids Deliver the Game Ball at World Series
Boys & Girls Club members are proud to deliver the game ball to the mound for each game of the World Series. In 2024, National Youth of the Year Nico F. delivered the game ball. As MLB’s charity, Boys & Girls Club youth are given these experiential opportunities, creating memories that last a lifetime.
Nico F. acknowledges the crowd prior to Game 2 of the 2024 World Series.
Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros giving his glove to a Club kid during the LCS playoff series, through MLB’s partnership with loanDepot.
Impact on Youth
MLB’s Play Ball Initiative offers Clubs access to baseball and softball-related activities, in both formal and casual settings, including T-ball, Pitch Hit & Run, PLAY BALL Fitness, and RBI. Club kids also enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiential opportunities to participate in annual MLB events like All-Star Week, post-season games and the World Series from delivering the game ball to the mound, to meeting their heroes on the field.
Impact on Clubs
In addition to supporting programs that introduce children to baseball, MLB is also committed to ensuring the continuous improvement for Clubs. MLB and BGCA is currently renovating 30 Boys & Girls Clubs in select markets with updated baseball fields, technology and/or teen centers.
Kids get active during field renovation at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.
Club kid delivers the game ball at the World Series.
Impact on Mission
Each season, MLB provides Boys & Girls Clubs of America with national exposure by prominently displaying the BGCA logo in stadiums and behind home plates. A nationally televised MLB-produced public service ad campaign featuring players and Club youth generates awareness for the Boys & Girls Club brand. BGCA also benefits from direct and indirect funding generated by Major League Baseball.
Join MLB and help more kids get in the game with your generous gift today.
Impact on Legacy
A key reason for our partnership’s success is the personal connections many big-leaguers have with Boys & Girls Clubs. Club alumni include legends such as Joe DiMaggio, Frank Robinson, Joe Morgan and Brooks Robinson, and extend to stars of today like CC Sabathia, Adam Jones and Jon Jay. Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Cal Ripken Jr. and Ken Griffey Jr. are also active supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs.
CC Sabathia and his PitCCh In Foundation, which enriches the lives of inner city youth by raising their self-esteem through educational and athletic activities, hosting 52 Club youth at games for meet and greets, food and the game of course.
For Club Alumni and Supporters
Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni & Friends is a global network of caring, involved individuals who seek to support Clubs, recruit Club alumni to further our cause, and give back to the next generation of Club kids.
