Mariners Seat Fleet & Microsoft Strikeouts for COVID Relief raise $80,000 for All In WA

The Seattle Mariners today announced that Seat Fleet fan cutout purchases have resulted in a donation of over $70,000 for All In WA, a coordinated, statewide relief effort that supports workers and families who have been acutely affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

Nearly 15,000 cutouts were purchased by Mariners fans and placed in the stands at T-Mobile Park during the 2020 60-Game Season. The physical presence of the cutouts helped bring color and atmosphere to the ballpark at a time when fans were not allowed to attend games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Microsoft Strikeouts for COVID-19 Relief

In addition to the support through Seat Fleet sales, Microsoft is donating $50 to All In WA for every strikeout by a Mariners pitcher during a home game. Based on pitcher statistics through Monday, the total is expected to be approximately $10,000.

Both donations from Microsoft Strikeouts for COVID-19 Relief and the sales of Seat Fleet cutouts are eligible for a matching donation from Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, which doubles their impact. All funds raised by All In WA will be used to support a range of causes in communities across the state including addressing food insecurity, rent assistance and support for struggling small businesses.

“We’re incredibly proud to team up with the Mariners to support workers, families and communities across Washington. The needs and disparities in our state are growing and it is critical community partners continue coming together to support those most impacted by the pandemic. Thanks to the Mariners and all of their fans for contributing to All In Washington,” said Tony Mestres, President and CEO of Seattle Foundation.

Seattle Foundation hosts All In WA and coordinates with nearly 50 cause and community funds across Washington to lead this statewide relief effort to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic including food shortages, health disparities and the need for housing assistance, as well as support for small businesses and essential workers.

Although Seat Fleet sales are closed, donations can still be made to the All In WA aggregate fund that addresses funding gaps across the state, or to Community funds and Cause-specific funds across Washington. A full list of participating funds can be found at allinwa.org. Funds donated to All In WA will be distributed in the form of grants to nonprofit organizations across the state.

Seat Fleet Stories

Each Seat Fleet cutout has its own story. They have been purchased in tribute to friends and family, as acts of community, and to celebrate milestones. Below are just some of the stories from this season.

• Among groups that purchased cutouts to be placed together at T-Mobile Park were Cats of Bothell, an online community of animal lovers that ended up with images of 39 cats and two dogs in their section, and at least one local Little League team.
• In addition to cats and dogs, other animal cutouts included horses, ducks, monkeys, spiders, llamas and fish.
• Mariners players purchased cutouts of their families including Kyle Lewis, Evan White, Dee Strange-Gordon and Casey Sadler. Manager Scott Servais and General Manager Jerry Dipoto also purchased cutouts.
• An original Season Ticket Member from the Mariners inaugural season (1977) surprised her husband with a Seat Fleet birthday party, purchasing cutouts of 102 of their closest friends and family members so they could all celebrate together at the ballpark.
• Cutouts have been ordered by fans from around the Northwest and beyond. Foul balls that were “caught” by a cutout have been mailed to fans all over the country including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

Fans who purchased Seat Fleet cutouts should fill out a survey by Thursday, September 24, to select what happens to their cutout after the season. Options are to have the cutout recycled or, fans can schedule a time to pick up their cutout at the T-Mobile Park Team Store at a designated date and time. If fans do not respond to the survey by Thursday their cutouts will be recycled.