The sporting goods industry, corporations, and national foundations have enabled Good Sports to grow from an organization that served only Boston youth to one that serves all of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Philadelphia, and Chicago. These partners have made Good Sports a core part of how they make a difference in the community and we are grateful for all that they do to make an impact on hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged youth every year.

Brine
Chicago Blackhawk Alumni Association
Easton Sports
Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation
National Recreation Foundation
New Balance
Nike
Nokona Athletic
Reebok
SAM BAT
Schutt Sports
Spalding Corporation
Sport Supply Group

10,000 Swing Campaign

Did you know that after reaching an all-time high of just under 2.7 million baseball players in 1997, participation in Little League Baseball -- the nation’s oldest and largest youth sports organization -- has dropped by an average of 36,000 players per year? With participation among many teams sports down significantly, including youth baseball we believe there is an opportunity that exists at the grass roots level to change these trends. By bringing together sporting goods companies, athletes, corporations and the public, we intend to do just that—create opportunity.

And opportunity is what we are trying to accomplish. Opportunity doesn’t haven’t have to come in the form of a major league contract, but sports are a key to the healthy development of young people with both physical and social benefits. Positive experiences with physical activity at a young age can help lay the foundation for being physically active throughout life improving strength and endurance, controlling weight, reducing anxiety and stress, increasing self-esteem, and improving blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Participating in athletics also decreases the chance that both girls and boys will abuse drugs and alcohol, and engage in other risky behavior.

Despite the clear benefits, opportunities are disappearing. There has been a serious decline in physical fitness and athletics with recess and sports teams disappearing from schools, and with only about one third of students nationwide attend physical education class daily. Due to budget cuts children are being offered fewer athletic options, participation fees are being increased, and players are expected to provide their own equipment and uniforms. These financial factors are making sports and fitness activities even less accessible to disadvantaged urban youth whose participation is 40% lower than that of suburban youth.

Good Sports is undertaking an initiative to reenergize youth baseball by putting 10,000 brand new baseball bats into the hands of disadvantaged youth who need it most. We hope you will help us to create this opportunity. Click here to learn more

Please join our founding partners:

Reebok
SAM BAT

Please click here to learn more about our partnership with SAM BAT and Milwaukee Brewers Ryan Braun

To learn more about this initiative, please contact
Christy Keswick at 617-282-6125 x130 or ckeswick@goodsports.org