QUEENS, N.Y. -- In celebration of the upcoming Play Ball Weekend, a special “Fun At Bat” event was held on Wednesday at P.S. 209q The Clearview Gardens School. The event was held to commemorate the Fun At Bat program reaching 5 million participants.

Major League Baseball, USA Baseball and the Amazin’ Mets Foundation served as joint organizers, with representatives from all three organizations present and serving as introductory guest speakers.

The Fun At Bat school program came to be in 2017, falling under the Play Ball initiative, and since then has reached the impressive milestone of 5 million participants nationwide.

Created in tandem with USA Baseball, it is a physical education program for elementary-aged children. The program is primarily delivered through P.E. courses and is intended to help students reach expected standards for their age, while also introducing them to the fun of diamond sports.

Paul Seiler, the executive director and CEO of USA Baseball, was in attendance and one of those guest speakers. He spoke of the impact MLB and events like those at The Clearview Gardens School have on young fans of the game.

“Commissioner [Rob] Manfred’s leadership, a huge push on youth initiatives, getting kids involved, physical activity,” he said. “... They're telling mom and dad … 'I want to play baseball. I want to play softball. Is there a team I can play on? Can I get signed up?'”

According to Seiler, the push for youth outreach initiatives is proving to be beneficial to the future of diamond sports. He pointed out that “participation numbers in both of our sports, baseball and softball, [are] on the incline.”

“It's a really exciting day and we're glad to be a part of it,” said Tony Reagins, MLB’s chief baseball development officer. “Major League Baseball continues to introduce bat-and-ball sports to young people around the world. ... The chances of them becoming long-term and lifelong fans is huge when they are introduced at such an early age.”

Also in attendance for the event were a group of pro personalities: Mets pitchers Danny Young and Adrian Houser and the always-popular Mr. Met.

Former All-Star outfielder Chris Young, currently an MLB Network analyst, also stopped by to take part in the activities.

“When you bring in 8, 9-year-old kids, it really hits my heart close by," he said. "My daughter plays softball, so being able to get with the kids ... see that they're just having fun playing the game is a special moment."

As someone who’s reached the highest level of the sport, Young still reminds others of what young players should never forget when it comes to “playing ball.”

“Kids this young, it's only one piece of advice -- you’ve just got to have fun,” said Young.

In celebration of the 5-million participant milestone, and to further help them cultivate their interest in bat-and-ball sports, each student at P.S. 209q received official Fun At Bat, New York Mets and Franklin Sports branded equipment.

In addition to these gifts, students and their families, along with district and school faculty, received tickets to attend the Mets' game vs. the Padres at Citi Field on Friday, during the celebration of Play Ball Weekend.

Principal of P.S. 209q Janice Egan reflected on what this event means to her and those in her educational community, as well as the impact MLB has on this community.

“I think that they're teaching the messages that we're trying to teach our kids in school. ... The fact that Major League Baseball is here and Mets players are here and USA Baseball is here ... just really hits home,” said Egan.

She spoke of the benefits of events like these beyond just cultivating a love for baseball or other bat-and-ball sports.

“It's education, we're not just educating kids on how to play sports, we're also educating them to have strong character and to be great people,” she said.