Baseball Assistance Team
Encyclopedia
The Baseball Assistance Team is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
affiliated with Major League Baseball
. The organization's stated goal is to "help members of the baseball
family who have come on hard times and are in need of assistance," and is guided by the principles of teamwork, caring, and sharing. The baseball family includes former players, both from the Major and Minor Leagues
, former Negro League
players, umpires, and team personnel. B.A.T. recognizes that "events and circumstances can become difficult and trying when the cheering ends," and aims to alleviate financial and medical hardship
s faced by former players.
as a way for Major League Baseball and its players to take care of former players who have fallen upon hard times. Eligibility for help from B.A.T. has since been expanded to include to those with three years of service as Major League and Minor League front office personnel, umpires
, scouts
, Minor League
players, athletic trainers, former Negro League baseball players, women from the Women’s Professional Baseball League, and their immediate families. It was founded with the goal of helping members of this Baseball Family during times of hardship, not as a long term program but as a bridge to get people back on their feet and self-sufficient without losing dignity. In 1991, a contribution from Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association
, and the Freedom Foundation established an endowment for B.A.T. While B.A.T. was not, and is not, meant to be a substitute for a pension or retirement savings, it is able to prevent eviction, cover emergency medical bills, or provide for household expenses in a time of need.
was honored with the first B.A.T. Lifetime Achievement Award. The following day 100 golfers teed off for the inaugural B.A.T. Celebrity Golf Tournament. 25 Major League Baseball legends filled the course, headlined by George Brett
, Steve Garvey
, Luis Gonzalez
, and Robin Yount
.
, Peter Ueberroth and Fay Vincent
as well as Bob Costas
, Bob Uecker
, Ozzie Smith
, George Brett
, the late George M. Steinbrenner, Don Zimmer
, and Brad Lidge
.
. Previous winners include Cal Ripken, Jr.
, Ken Griffey, Jr.
, Derek Jeter
, Al Leiter
, Don Mattingly
, Tom Glavine
, Jorge Posada
, and Tim Wakefield
.
, is presented to the team from each league that donates the most money during the annual B.A.T. Spring Training Fundraising Tour. The teams presented the award for their contributions during the 2010 Spring Training Tour were the Los Angeles Dodgers
of the National League
and the New York Yankees
from the American League
.
, Rickey Henderson
, Luis Aparicio
, Jim Palmer
, Billy Williams, Goose Gossage
, Cookie Rojas
, Darryl Strawberry
(not in HoF), Earl Weaver
, and Dick Williams
.
Advisory Board'
Jay Bell
, Carl Erskine
, Katy Feeney, Whitey Ford
, Joe Girardi
, Lou Johnson
, Sandy Koufax
, Willie Mays
, Phyllis Merhige, Jim Palmer
, Ed Stack, Don Zimmer
Currently, Joe Grippo serves as the Executive Director of B.A.T. Under his direction, B.A.T. continues to educate members of the Baseball Family about the B.A.T. mission, raise money, and most importantly, communicate daily with current B.A.T. grant recipients and potential B.A.T. grant applicants.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
affiliated with Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The organization's stated goal is to "help members of the baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
family who have come on hard times and are in need of assistance," and is guided by the principles of teamwork, caring, and sharing. The baseball family includes former players, both from the Major and Minor Leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, former Negro League
Negro league baseball
The Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams predominantly made up of African Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relatively successful leagues beginning in...
players, umpires, and team personnel. B.A.T. recognizes that "events and circumstances can become difficult and trying when the cheering ends," and aims to alleviate financial and medical hardship
Hardship
A hardship may mean:*hardship clause in contract law*undue hardship in employment law and other areas*extreme hardship in immigration law*hardship post in a foreign service*hardship in life...
s faced by former players.
History
The Baseball Assistance Team was founded in 1986 during the term of Commissioner Peter UeberrothPeter Ueberroth
Peter Victor Ueberroth is an American executive. He served as the sixth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1989. He was recently the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee; he was replaced by Larry Probst in October 2008....
as a way for Major League Baseball and its players to take care of former players who have fallen upon hard times. Eligibility for help from B.A.T. has since been expanded to include to those with three years of service as Major League and Minor League front office personnel, umpires
Umpire (baseball)
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
, scouts
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
, Minor League
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
players, athletic trainers, former Negro League baseball players, women from the Women’s Professional Baseball League, and their immediate families. It was founded with the goal of helping members of this Baseball Family during times of hardship, not as a long term program but as a bridge to get people back on their feet and self-sufficient without losing dignity. In 1991, a contribution from Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association
Major League Baseball Players Association
The Major League Baseball Players Association is the union of professional major-league baseball players.-History of MLBPA:The MLBPA was not the first attempt to unionize baseball players...
, and the Freedom Foundation established an endowment for B.A.T. While B.A.T. was not, and is not, meant to be a substitute for a pension or retirement savings, it is able to prevent eviction, cover emergency medical bills, or provide for household expenses in a time of need.
Fundraising
Major League Baseball provides for the overhead expenses of the Baseball Assistance Team and therefore every penny raised is donated in the form to a grant recipient. B.A.T. raises the money it uses to help players in a number of ways. To date, B.A.T. has provided over 2600 grants and has raised over $21 million dollars, all of which is given back to members of the Baseball Family.Going to BAT for B.A.T
B.A.T.’s most important fundraiser is the Going to Bat for B.A.T. dinner, which is held every January in New York City. The dinner, which is attended by over 100 current or former players, also boasts the largest gathering at the 2009 Going to BAT for B.A.T. Dinner]] of Hall of Famers aside from the induction ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. Three prestigious awards are given by B.A.T. every year at this dinner. Additionally, the dinner is a chance for attendees to meet some of baseball’s best players from various generations. In 2011, the dinner celebrated the life and legacy of George M. Steinbrenner III.Celebrity Ball for B.A.T. & B.A.T. Celebrity Golf Tournament
The Inaugural Celebrity Ball for B.A.T. Fundraising Dinner was yet another event in which money is raised for members of the Baseball Family who are in need of assistance with nowhere else to turn. This event was held during the first week of Cactus League games in Scottsdale, AZ. Former B.A.T. President Joe GaragiolaJoe Garagiola
Joseph Henry "Joe" Garagiola, Sr. is an American former catcher in Major League Baseball who later became an announcer and television host, popular for his colorful personality. He was well known for being one of the regular panelists of The Today Show on NBC for many years.-Early life:Garagiola...
was honored with the first B.A.T. Lifetime Achievement Award. The following day 100 golfers teed off for the inaugural B.A.T. Celebrity Golf Tournament. 25 Major League Baseball legends filled the course, headlined by George Brett
George Brett (baseball)
George Howard Brett , nicknamed "Mullet", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Kansas City Royals. Brett's 3,154 career hits are the most by any third baseman in major league history, and 15th...
, Steve Garvey
Steve Garvey
Steven Patrick Garvey , nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman...
, Luis Gonzalez
Luis Gonzalez
Luis Gonzalez may refer to:*Luis Gonzalez , former Major League Baseball outfielder*Luis González , Major League Baseball utility player*Lucho González, Argentine football player*Luis González , Venezuelan boxer...
, and Robin Yount
Robin Yount
Robin R. Yount is an American former Major League Baseball shortstop and center fielder. He spent his entire 20-year baseball career with the Milwaukee Brewers . In 1999, Yount was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.-Early years:Yount was born in Danville, Illinois...
.
Spring Training Visits
The annual B.A.T. Spring Training Fundraising Tour is another major endeavor for B.A.T. Since 2003, members of B.A.T. have visited each team in Major League Baseball and solicit donations, all of which are given back to former players and members of the Baseball Family. The visits also educate the players to be the eyes and the ears of the B.A.T. organization by letting B.A.T. know about anyone who may be in need of assistance. The teams that donate the most money to aid others are honored each year with the Bobby Murcer Award. Since the tour started in 2003, Major League players have donated over $9 million to help the neediest members of the Baseball Family. This year, the tour generated 1327 players to contribute over 2 million dollars in donations, shattering all-time B.A.T. records in both categories. The most generous teams in each league for the second consecutive year were the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers, and these teams will receive the Bobby Murcer Award at the 2012 Going to BAT for B.A.T. Dinner.Big B.A.T./Frank Slocum Award
The Frank Slocum Big B.A.T. Award, named for the first director of the Baseball Assistance Team, is given to “an individual or a group of individuals whose exemplary service to the B.A.T. organization has helped provide dignity and self-esteem to members of the Baseball Family." The 2011 award was presented to Bob Watson, who has dedicated his entire 45 year career to baseball and has been a big supporter of B.A.T. over the years. Past award winners include Commissioners Bud SeligBud Selig
Allan Huber "Bud" Selig is the ninth and current Commissioner of Major League Baseball, having served in that capacity since 1992 as the acting commissioner, and as the official commissioner since 1998...
, Peter Ueberroth and Fay Vincent
Fay Vincent
Francis Thomas "Fay" Vincent, Jr. is a former entertainment lawyer and sports executive who served as the eighth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from September 13, 1989 to September 7, 1992.-Early life and career:...
as well as Bob Costas
Bob Costas
Robert Quinlan "Bob" Costas is an American sportscaster, on the air for the NBC network since the early 1980s.-Early life:...
, Bob Uecker
Bob Uecker
Robert George "Bob" Uecker is an American former Major League Baseball player, later a sportscaster, comedian, and actor. Uecker was given the title of "Mr. Baseball" by Johnny Carson...
, Ozzie Smith
Ozzie Smith
Osborne Earl "Ozzie" Smith is an American former baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals from 1978 to 1996...
, George Brett
George Brett (baseball)
George Howard Brett , nicknamed "Mullet", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Kansas City Royals. Brett's 3,154 career hits are the most by any third baseman in major league history, and 15th...
, the late George M. Steinbrenner, Don Zimmer
Don Zimmer
Donald William "Popeye" Zimmer is a former infielder, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball, currently serving as a senior advisor to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball organization...
, and Brad Lidge
Brad Lidge
Bradley Thomas "Brad" Lidge is a reliever who is currently a free agent. Nicknamed "Lights Out", he is the all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings among pitchers with at least 200 appearances in their career...
.
Bart Giamatti Award
The Bart Giamatti award is given to the “individual associated with baseball who best exemplifies the compassion demonstrated by the late commissioner.” Generally, it is given to a player involved in a wide range of charity work, benefitting both those involved with the game of baseball and those in the community at large. At the 2011 Going to Bat for B.A.T. dinner, the Bart Giamatti Award was given to CC Sabathia of the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Previous winners include Cal Ripken, Jr.
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Calvin Edwin "Cal" Ripken, Jr. , nicknamed "Iron Man", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles ....
, Ken Griffey, Jr.
Ken Griffey, Jr.
George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. , nicknamed "Junior" and "The Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and during his final years, designated hitter...
, Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
, Al Leiter
Al Leiter
Alois Terry "Al" Leiter is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher. He is now a studio analyst for MLB Network, and a color commentator for the YES Network.-Early career :Leiter attended Central Regional High School....
, Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly
Donald Arthur "Don" Mattingly is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "The Hit Man" and "Donnie Baseball", he played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
, Tom Glavine
Tom Glavine
Thomas Michael Glavine is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.With 164 victories during the 1990s, Glavine was the second winningest pitcher in the National League, second only to teammate Greg Maddux's 176...
, Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
, and Tim Wakefield
Tim Wakefield
Timothy Stephen Wakefield is an American professional baseball pitcher. Wakefield began pitching with the Red Sox in 1995, making him the longest-serving player currently on the team. Wakefield is also the oldest current active player in the majors, and one of two active knuckleballers, the other...
.
Bobby Murcer Award
The Bobby Murcer Award, named in honor of late Yankee great and B.A.T. Chairman Bobby MurcerBobby Murcer
Bobby Ray Murcer was an American Major League Baseball outfielder who played for 17 seasons between 1965 and 1983, mostly with the New York Yankees, whom he later rejoined as a longtime broadcaster...
, is presented to the team from each league that donates the most money during the annual B.A.T. Spring Training Fundraising Tour. The teams presented the award for their contributions during the 2010 Spring Training Tour were the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
and the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
from the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
.
Hall of Fame support
In addition to being supported by players on every club in Major League Baseball, the Baseball Assistance Team enjoys a significant amount of support among members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Present at the 2011 Going to BAT for B.A.T. dinner were Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Roberto AlomarRoberto Alomar
Roberto "Robbie" Alomar Velázquez is a former Major League Baseball player , regarded by many as one of the best second basemen in MLB history. During his career he won more Gold Gloves than any other second baseman in history, and also won the second-most Silver Slugger Awards for a second...
, Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
, Luis Aparicio
Luis Aparicio
Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel is a former shortstop in professional baseball. His career in Major League Baseball spanned three decades, from through . Aparicio played for the Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
, Jim Palmer
Jim Palmer
James Alvin "Jim" Palmer , nicknamed "Cakes", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in .As of 2008, Palmer and his wife Susan have homes in Palm Beach, Florida, and...
, Billy Williams, Goose Gossage
Goose Gossage
Richard Michael "Goose" Gossage is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 22-year baseball career, he pitched from 1972-1994 for nine different teams, spending his best years with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. The nickname "Goose" is a play on his surname...
, Cookie Rojas
Cookie Rojas
Octavio Victor Rojas Rivas , better known as Cookie Rojas, is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and outfielder who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals. After retiring as a player he went on to both coach and manage in the...
, Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Eugene Strawberry is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder who is well-known both for his play on the field and for his controversial behavior off it...
(not in HoF), Earl Weaver
Earl Weaver
Earl Sidney Weaver is a former Major League Baseball manager. He spent his entire 17-year managerial career with the Baltimore Orioles . Weaver was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.-Playing career:After playing for Beaumont High School in St...
, and Dick Williams
Dick Williams
Richard Hirschfeld "Dick" Williams was an American left fielder, third baseman, manager, coach and front office consultant in Major League Baseball. Known especially as a hard-driving, sharp-tongued manager from 1967–69 and 1971–88, he led teams to three American League pennants, one National...
.
Board of Directors and Advisors
Board of Directors- President: Gary ThorneGary ThorneGary Thorne is a play-by-play announcer for ESPN and ABC, working Major League Baseball, College football and Frozen Four hockey contests. He is also the television play-by-play voice of the Baltimore Orioles...
- Chairman: Ted SizemoreTed SizemoreTed Crawford Sizemore was a second baseman for Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers , St...
- Vice President: Randy WinnRandy WinnDwight Randolph Winn is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Winn was a switch hitter, and threw right-handed. He played college baseball at Santa Clara University and made his Major League debut in 1998 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
- Members: Jackie AutryJackie AutryJackie Autry, is the former owner of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and widow of singer, actor and businessman Gene Autry...
, Steve GarveySteve GarveySteven Patrick Garvey , nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman...
, Bob GibsonBob GibsonRobert "Bob" Gibson is a retired American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Hoot" and "Gibby", he was a right-handed pitcher who played his entire 17-year Major League Baseball career with St. Louis Cardinals...
, Luis Gonzalez, Mark Letendre, Jim Martin, Sam McDowellSam McDowellSamuel Edward Thomas McDowell , is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball, with the first 11 coming for the Cleveland Indians before a 1971 trade to the San Francisco Giants, followed by stints with the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates...
, Joe MorganJoe MorganJoe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
, Alan Nahmias, Jim Pongracz, Octavio “Cookie” RojasCookie RojasOctavio Victor Rojas Rivas , better known as Cookie Rojas, is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and outfielder who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals. After retiring as a player he went on to both coach and manage in the...
, Frank TorreFrank TorreFrank Joseph Torre is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. Torre, who batted and threw left-handed, played for the Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Phillies...
, Greg Wilcox - Executive Director: Joe Grippo
Advisory Board'
Jay Bell
Jay Bell
Jay Stuart Bell is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and second baseman who played for the Cleveland Indians , Pittsburgh Pirates , Kansas City Royals , Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets .He played his high school baseball at J.M...
, Carl Erskine
Carl Erskine
Carl Daniel Erskine is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Brooklyn & Los Angeles Dodgers from 1948 through 1959...
, Katy Feeney, Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...
, Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...
, Lou Johnson
Lou Johnson
Louis Brown Johnson , nicknamed "Sweet Lou" and "Slick", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder...
, Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
, Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
, Phyllis Merhige, Jim Palmer
Jim Palmer
James Alvin "Jim" Palmer , nicknamed "Cakes", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in .As of 2008, Palmer and his wife Susan have homes in Palm Beach, Florida, and...
, Ed Stack, Don Zimmer
Don Zimmer
Donald William "Popeye" Zimmer is a former infielder, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball, currently serving as a senior advisor to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball organization...
Currently, Joe Grippo serves as the Executive Director of B.A.T. Under his direction, B.A.T. continues to educate members of the Baseball Family about the B.A.T. mission, raise money, and most importantly, communicate daily with current B.A.T. grant recipients and potential B.A.T. grant applicants.
External links
- Baseball Assistance Team. MLB Advanced Media, L.P.