Recreation
The New York Yankees are committed to supporting community-based organizations that provide positive recreational outlets for New York City youth.
Established in July of 2021, Blue Chips is a co-ed youth mentoring and sports program that focuses on bridging the gap between police officers in the NYPD and youth throughout New York City. The program uses sports and education to create safe and cohesive avenues for young individuals to not only interact with each other but create stronger bonds with local members of the NYPD. Through organized athletic activities, book and drama clubs and community-improvement sessions, Blue Chips aims to break down barriers in inner-city environments to foster career and personal development and help show that there is a “heartbeat behind the badge.” In addition, the New York Yankees partnered with the Blue Chips for their city-wide softball and baseball little league engaging over a thousand of youth, as well as honored the Blue Chips program during HOPE Week 2022.
Since 1968, Special Olympics has provided year-round sports training/athletic competitions in 22 Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a result of participation in Special Olympics programming, athletes adopt a healthy lifestyle, gain confidence, build a positive self-image and become self-sufficient. Special Olympics New York (SONY) serves the local population and is committed to improving the overall quality of life and well-being for over 40,000 athletes. In addition, SONY provides nutrition education and quarterly health screenings/medical check-ups to ensure its athletes remain healthy. The New York Yankees partner with Special Olympics New York to support over 8,400 athletes served in the NYC/Bronx Program, providing area youth with access to ongoing programming and equip them with the resources required to compete. In addition, for the 2022 postseason, athletes and staff from Special Olympics New York were invited to enjoy a game at the Judge’s Chambers.
The Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl — in association with the Yankees & the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) — honored 11 scholar-athletes from each of New York City’s boroughs during the annual PSAL MVP Scholar-Athletes Awards Dinner on December 13th, 2022 at Yankee Stadium. The scholar-athletes were recognized for their outstanding academic and athletic achievements.
The Little League Support Award was implemented by the New York Yankees Community Council to promote/enhance baseball/softball in the Bronx. Bronx-based Little Leagues dedicated to providing positive recreational, educational and social outlets for area youth are rewarded for their efforts with the Little League Support Award. In 2023, the New York Yankees Community Council Little League Support Award was issued to chartered Bronx Little Leagues that applied and were chartered by a Little League Organization or incorporated as a non-profit organization with a 501c3 designation.
The Yankees partnered with the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) to host the PSAL Baseball Championship Games at Yankee Stadium on June 12, 2023. During the two games, approximately 9,000 tickets were distributed to guests who watched Hunter College High School vs. Metropolitan Campus compete for the AA Baseball Championship, and Gregorio Luperon High School vs Tottenville High School compete for the AAA Baseball Championship.
On July 24, 2023, former Yankee CC Sabathia hosted his third Celebrity Softball Game at Yankee Stadium. This year’s game featured various participants, including A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, AJ Andrews, Tiki Barber, Action Bronson, Rudy Gay, Sharlee Jeter, Tracy Morgan, Dascha Polanco, Dellin Betances and Ja Rule. Funds and proceeds raised through the event benefitted the PitCCh In Foundation and the New York Yankees Foundation’s efforts to enrich the lives of inner city children through education and athletics.
In conjunction with Major League Baseball’s PLAY Ball initiative, the Yankees launched a new Summer Night Lights program in mid-July alongside the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Blue Chips Program, NYC Parks, the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), The Players Alliance, PitCCh In Foundation, SCAN-Harbor and Poland Spring® Spring Water.
On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from July 11 through mid-August, approximately 300 young people from the Bronx between the ages of 12 and 18 had the opportunity to take part in tournament-style, co-ed baseball and softball games at Elston Gene Howard Field, which is located on the site of the original Yankee Stadium. The nighttime schedule was chosen to supplement the limited number of organized evening activities available to young people during the summer.
The program was a collective effort to encourage youth to engage in baseball-related activities that demonstrate the positive way the game can serve as an outlet for recreation, social responsibility and healthy competition. Additionally, by gathering young individuals from all areas of the Bronx, artificial and territorial boundaries were shattered in a way meant to bring communities together.
