MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF) is a joint initiative by Major League Baseball and the Players Association to support efforts that focus on improving the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the United States and internationally. From local-based programs to the Hank Aaron Invitational and HBCU Swingman Classic, the foundation helps make youth baseball and softball more accessible – creating economic opportunities, strengthening communities, and building character – on and off the field.
For any questions, please contact: [email protected] or 212.931.7886
Ambassador
- Ken Griffey, Jr., Senior Advisor to the Commissioner of Baseball | Hall of Famer
Staff
- Jean Lee Batrus, Executive Director, MLB-MLBPA
- Diana Braverman, Senior Vice President, Controller, MLB
- Chris Brumm, Senior Vice President & Head Counsel, MLB
- Ben Freedman, Senior Coordinator, MLB-MLBPA
- Julia Gaffin, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, MLB
- Kasey Sanossian, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, MLB
- Maggie Sullivan, Senior Coordinator, MLB-MLBPA
Board of Directors, Co-Presidents
- Leonor Colon, Managing Director, International & Domestic Player Operations, MLBPA
- Tony Reagins, Chief Baseball Development Officer, MLB
Board of Directors
- Chris Capuano, Senior Director, Operations, Business & Strategy, MLBPA
- Jeff Fannell, President, Jeff Fannell & Associates, MLBPA
- Patrick Houlihan, Executive Vice President, Labor Relations, MLB
- David James, Vice President, Baseball & Softball Development, MLB
- Ed Weber, Executive Vice President, CFO, MLB
- Dave Winfield, Special Advisor to the Executive Director, MLBPA | Hall of Famer
Baseball Tomorrow Fund History
During the 1999 World Series, the MLB and MLBPA announced its $10 million commitment that began the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. For nearly 20 years, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund supported field lighting, field renovation, players equipment and uniform projects.
In 2018, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund joined the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation to broaden efforts to increase participation in and expand access to baseball and softball. Currently all grantmaking activities are operated by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development. There are no longer grants provided by the Baseball Tomorrow Fund.
Youth Development Foundation in the News
- June 15th, 2024: Weeklong Events Lead to MLB’s Salute to the Negro Leagues at Birmingham’s Rickwood Field on June 20
- June 15th, 2024: Weeklong series of youth, community events planned around MLB at Rickwood Field game
- February 16th, 2024: California Consulting Publishes List of Latest Municipal Grant Opportunities
- December 19, 2023: MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation tops $31 million in total grant funding
- November 15, 2023: California Consulting Releases Latest Grant Opportunities for Cities and Counties
- September 1, 2023: Jean Lee Batrus: A Catalyst of Black Youth Baseball
- August 5, 2023: 'Bigger than myself': Young Black ballplayers feel a sense of mission
- July 31, 2023: MLB-MLBPA YDF Executive Director Jean Lee Batrus Talks Supporting Baseball Players With Diverse Backgrounds (Exclusive)
- July 31, 2023: Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield Talks Getting More African Americans to Play Baseball (Exclusive)
- July 10, 2023: Autographed balls in the mix for the HR Derby
- March 23, 2023: Popular Municipal Grant Opportunities for March 2023
- January 17, 2023: MLB Works to Build a New Generation of Black American Players
- October 20, 2022: The New York Yankees Forgo Last Names on the Back of Their Jerseys — Why?
- July 11, 2022: Most Popular Municipal Grant Opportunities July 2022
- August 17, 2021: KGJ is still trying to make baseball cool
- August 16, 2021: Leading Organizations Endorse Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports