Seattle Mariners Award $50,000 in Grants to 10 High School Baseball and Softball Programs Across Washington and Oregon

By | February 2, 2024

SEATTLE, Wash. – The Seattle Mariners today announced 10 recipients of the club’s annual $50,000 Mariners Care Equipment Donation Grant. Each of the grantees represent a diverse cross section of the Pacific Northwest and have intentionally built programs to support the unique needs of the student athletes in their communities.

The grant, which will be divided equally among the recipients, will help ease the pressure on struggling baseball and softball programs, as well as help ensure the game remains accessible to any student athlete who wants to participate.

2024 Mariners Care Equipment Donation Grant Recipients:

Since the program began in 2017, $400,000 has been awarded to high school baseball and softball programs. This initiative is part of the On BASE (Baseball and Softball Everywhere) initiative, a strategic effort by the Mariners to leverage new and existing partnerships to break down barriers that may prevent children from participating in baseball and softball, either because of high registration fees, lack of equipment, and/or access to playable fields.

New to the grant program this year, the Mariners will be connecting grantees with access to professional baseball education and training resources, including Mariners Training Center facility access when the program visits the ballpark for a pregame ceremony and a team session with Mariners mental skills coaches to support the mental health and resilience of their student-athletes as they compete.

2024 Mariners Care Equipment Donation Grant Recipients

Bridgeport High School Baseball & Softball - Bridgeport, WA
Bridgeport, located on the Columbia River in central Washington, is home to Bridgeport High School. Staff and coaches work to ensure the baseball and softball programs are reflective of a diverse school population, connecting rich traditions of sports within different cultures to the values that guide their programs. The grant will allow the school to build on their programs’ successes and growth since 2020, providing shared team equipment for their athletes and continue much-needed safety improvements to its playing surface.

Decatur High School Softball – Federal Way, WA
Decatur’s softball program features a passionate group of student athletes that hold leadership positions in student government and compete in sports year-round. However, the team lacks proper safety gear and navigates issues with old, broken, and damaged equipment. As a recipient of the grant, Decatur will be able to purchase basic softball gear, uniform items, and make safety improvements needed to help grow their program in 2024 and beyond.

Granger High School Softball - Granger, WA
Granger High School’s softball program reflects the diversity of its community and works to engage as many athletes as possible. The coaching staff works diligently to provide resources that students need on and off the field. “I believe an upgrade in equipment will strengthen our ability to develop hardworking young women who know how to work well with others and strive to succeed in all areas of life,” said Granger Assistant Coach & parent Laurence Guisinger.

*Kennedy High School Baseball – Mt. Angel, OR
*Kennedy High School in Mt. Angel, Oregon is part of a small community that takes great pride in its baseball team, which shares facilities with middle school and youth league teams. The grant will allow Kennedy to purchase basic shared equipment, including baseballs, gloves, and catcher’s gear which will provide opportunity to student athletes regardless of their background. “We make sure all kids that want to play get the chance,” said Head Coach Kevin Moffatt.

Manson High School Baseball – Manson, WA
Manson High School, located near Lake Chelan in central Washington, has long had to navigate challenges around its playing field and related equipment. Late-season snow and rain complicate issues with the playing surface. Funds from the grant will be used, in part, to remove old railroad ties and add fencing to separate foul territory from an adjacent street.

North Central High School Softball – Spokane, WA
Located in Spokane, North Central High School softball is a growing program working to create a safer environment for its student athletes. From softball gloves and uniform items to supplies to ensure a safe playing surface, North Central will use grant funds to provide equipment for players that cannot provide their own and have a safe, properly prepared field at which they can play.

Port Angeles High School Baseball – Port Angeles, WA
Port Angeles High School (PAHS) baseball thrives because of a dedicated effort to make baseball accessible to all students who wish to play. As part of a community with a strong baseball history, PAHS’ baseball program will benefit from grant funds to help keep pace with its growth, and in the process replace decades-old equipment to help ensure the success of its athletes in their high school careers and into the next phase of their lives.

Roosevelt High School Softball – Portland, OR
Located in the St. John’s neighborhood of Portland, Roosevelt High School’s diverse student population includes many kids from households that struggle to make ends meet. The grant will increase access and defray costs for those participating in the baseball program while helping to provide a quality experience for players without the pressures of buying their own gear.

Wahluke High School Baseball & Softball – Mattawa, WA
Wahluke High School in Mattawa draws its student population from a community primarily made up of agricultural families. With most of their players not learning baseball and softball until junior high, the coaching staff has focused its energy on teaching the fundamentals of the game. Grant funds will go toward ensuring that Wahluke’s young athletes have the practice equipment and playing facilities needed to have a safe and rewarding playing experience.

Waterville High School Baseball – Waterville, WA
Waterville High School, located in central Washington, is a small K-12 school that encourages all its students to participate in extracurricular activities. An investment in equipment for the baseball program has a ripple effect that impacts both student athletes and the broader youth baseball/softball community, with basic field improvements providing a much-needed space for the game in Waterville.

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