OUR IMPACT
Play Ball began with a simple mission in 2007: "Get More Feet on the Field".
Play Ball began working with the Boston Public Schools to address the disparity between athletic opportunities offered in Boston compared to the surrounding suburbs. Over the past 16 years, Play Ball’s impact has grown - more students have been inspired, more coaches have joined our mission, and more school districts have enthusiastically partnered with The Play Ball Foundation.
4,000 students involved in our programs across six school districts
8
Number of sports offered by Play Ball-funded school districts: baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, flag football, soccer, track & field, and volleyball.
$0.00
Costs of Play Ball programs for students and families in Boston, Holyoke, Lawrence, and New Bedford
“Play Ball provides the opportunities for kids to be introduced to different sports, to find their passion, to work as a team, to find their own self confidence, which is something we are all hoping that each kid will get a chance to be a part of.”
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Brad Stevens
Boston Celtics President of
Basketball Operations
COMMITMENT TO KIDS
56 middle schools
in our six partner cities
$140
Play Ball cost per student average across our four school districts
“Engagement in sports gives kids the opportunity to learn critical social/emotional skills, learning to give good effort, being a part of a team, those skills are learned in the crucial time of middle school. Play Ball supports that in schools that may not otherwise be able to provide it for young people”
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Dr. John McCarthy
Boston University School of Education
COMMITMENT TO KIDS
65%
Percentage of students surveyed who said the Play Ball leagues were their only opportunity to play organized sports.
“The kids feel a commitment to school, a commitment to each other, and a commitment to their team. They get tso much enjoyment and fulfillment out of the overall school experience beasue of what Play Ball has been able to do for the Lawrence Public Schools.”
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John Patterson
Principal, Frost Middle School, Lawrence, MA
COMMITMENT TO KIDS
Make an Impact, Make a Donation
We believe in the power of sports. We believe in the power of our Play Ball students. We believe in the power of Play Ball communities. Help us strengthen our support by making a donation today.
43%
Percentage of athletes more likely to stay in school than non-athletes
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Source: US Dept. of Health & Human Services
$4M+
the total amount of funding Play Ball has made in its history to support high-need communities in Massachusetts