When young people participate in sports, it benefits their physical and mental health. Sports can build self-confidence and leadership skills and contribute to academic success.
But not all kids have equal access to play. According to 2019 research by the Aspen Institute, the University of Washington, and King County Parks, organized sports like baseball and softball are too expensive and culturally exclusive for many young people. Youth of color, youth from lower income families, girls, youth with disabilities, and immigrant youth all face significant barriers to organized sports. In addition, girls consistently enjoy less physical activity than boys.
The Mariners are determined to help change this situation. We are committed to ensuring all young people in our region have an equitable opportunity to play baseball and softball for as long as they choose.
The Hometown Nine prepares young people for athletic and academic success and a future as community leaders. It is part of the Mariners and Mariners Care's commitment to ensuring that all youth have access to the many benefits of organized sports.
By working to build a model for how youth sports can become more equitable and accessible, the Hometown Nine can share its learning with organizations across the country that are working to create change for future generations.
The Hometown Nine is part of the Mariners¡¯ "On BASE" (Baseball and Softball Everywhere) initiative to provide programs that improve playing opportunities for young people of different races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientation, physical ability, and economic circumstances.
The Hometown Nine is a five-year commitment to nine incoming eighth-graders in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. The program provides financial, academic, professional, and social support to Hometown Nine Fellows to encourage success in their athletic careers and educational journeys. Mariners Care, the official nonprofit foundation of the Seattle Mariners, underwrites the playing fees for elite baseball and softball training, offering Hometown Nine Fellows equitable access to competitive play.
In conjunction with athletic support, each Fellow is paired with a Mariners Front Office staff who serve as mentors. They meet quarterly to provide academic and professional guidance. As the Hometown Nine Fellows near high school graduation, they will participate in events tailored to future academic pursuits, including college admissions prep, essay writing support, and more.
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