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Our Focus
Providing Consistent Opportunities for Growth 

"Baseball is a game of failure. It's how you deal with it that matters." - Andre Dawson

The Situation 

There has been a long standing narrative in a lot of minority communities that baseball is a “white man sport”. This is far from the truth but there are some alarming statistics to solidify the reasoning.

 

  1. Representation: Major league baseball reported that blacks only make up about 7.8% of the players on rosters. Competing sports like football and basketball report blacks make upwards to 90% on rosters. 

  2. Economic: Gloves, bat, cleats, helmets, Travel team Dues, food, Hotel fees, Uniforms. 

  3. Baseball is a pass down sport meaning that it is introduced by someone who has a passion for the game. 

  4. Education: The lack of not having someone to be there to explain the ins and outs, someone to understand the things that the young athlete will face in the game, can hurt a player in more ways than one. 

  5. Oftentimes our youth are overlooked and underserved. (Self-Esteem) (Motivation) 

  6. More than half of our young athletes will leave the game before 13yrs old and of that half more than half of them will leave the sport entirely before 10th grade.

  7. Inadequate baseball facilities (playing field are unkempt, baseball is not offered in rec programs, no batting cages, lack of coaching training, and community support)

 

Individually, these reasons may not be as startling, but the impact it has on the culture as a whole are staggering. For every success story, there are hundreds and thousands of players that will be pushed out because of one or more of the reasons mentioned earlier. 

The Process

-Player Promise: Self-Accountability

Upon membership, student-athletes and parents/guardians sign contracts agreeing to fulfill specific performance standards. Athletes must stay in school, maintain good grades, exhibit good behavior, remain crime and drug free, and meet with group mentors once a week. Students are held accountable; if they do not fulfill our program standards, they risk losing their valuable membership and athletic and academic scholarship opportunities.

-Guardian Involvement: 

Parents or legal guardians are responsible for supporting and encouraging their children's academic/athletic success by:

  • Developing positive relationships with mentors, Coaches and FMBA staff.

  • Playing active roles in the educational, cultural, and athletic activities of their child.

  • Learn tips and strategies to help keep players motivated, asking the right questions, and how to get the most from your high school and travel coaches.

​-Motivation and Support (College Baseball Group Mentor):

Each athlete will meet with the College Baseball Player (Group Mentor) virtually each week for 30 mins- 1 hour. These volunteer mentors are recruited, trained, supported, monitored, by FMBA Staff and College Coaches. Mentors provide academic and  athletic behavioral motivation, guidance, friendship, support and are encouraged to continue their service over a multi-year period with FMBA. 

-Training and skill Development (Coaches and Lessons): 

Each player and parent in the program will have access to practice plans, virtual coaching lessons by College Coaches, Active Players, and will also have the chance of having your video uploaded analyzed by professionals. FMBA Organization and partners work closely with mentors, coaches and parents to confirm that each child is achieving continued success.

-Career Development

At FMBA, is working to ensure a successful transition into college and from college to the baseball industry. We will be able to provide baseball industry introduction classes in specific areas for continuing baseball lovers' careers in baseball.

"I never cared about acceptance as much as I cared about respect."- Jackie Robinson

Our Approach

By Partnering with College Baseball Programs, Parents, Coaches, Sports Industry Personnel and other community organizations to support families in a holistic approach.

Involvement

  • Egange, Educate, Support and Build 

  • Peer to Peer (Virtual) mentoring (College Player with young athletes)

  • Training and Skill development instructed by Veteran coaches

  • Educational lessons on minority history in the Sport

  • Scholarship Opportunity and Community service

Accountability

  • Players and Parents/Guardian sign performance contract

  • Players agree to maintain good grades

  • Players remain alcohol, crime and drug free

If you’d like more information about how you can donate click the link below.

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