2017
Fun At Bat is developed by USA Baseball and launched with the support of Major League Baseball and shared equipment partner Franklin Sports. Fun At Bat later launches at its first elementary schools with custom-branded equipment and kits.
The Fun At Bat curriculum was developed in partnership with SHAPE America, aiming to get kids involved with baseball and encourage physical education.
Houston Independent School District was the first school to adopt support from an MLB team, getting backing from the Houston Astros.
2018
The Fun At Bat Teacher Training program and Instructor’s Course launches, allowing former MLB and USA Baseball player Michael Cuddyer to help further the initiative.
In-person Fun At Bat Teacher Training was then implemented in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with Pittsburgh Public Schools thanks to the support of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Club co-branded materials were then developed, such as with the Seattle Mariners.
2019
After initially expanding to Puerto Rico, Fun At Bat continues to gain international traction, reaching schools in Mexico and the United Kingdom.
The free program has reached more than 1.3 million students across Mexico, promoting an active lifestyle for children while teaching the fundamental skills of bat-and-ball sports. In addition, a literary component was included, fostering character development and traits such as leadership and teamwork.
2020
A Brazil initiative gets approved and implemented, allowing the free program to be implemented in schools in South America.
In the midst of the pandemic, Fun At Bat At Home launches. The program was modified to incorporate fun and healthy lifestyles for children and their families while at home.
MLB teams continued to make school visits throughout the country. The Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers utilized Fun At Bat in Winter Caravans, bringing teams and pros to schools across the nation.
2021
Fun At Bat reaches the Philippines while continuing to expand teacher trainings and school visits. The Washington Nationals teamed up with the School District of Palm Beach County to further Fun At Bat teacher training.
2022
The Fun At Bat After School program launches in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, sending Fun At Bat program resources to Clubs across America. Four-hundred clubs across all 50 states received materials to use in an after-school setting, allowing more than 30,000 kids to access a fun and active after school program.
2024
FAB officially reaches five million participants (domestic + international). A celebration is held at P.S. 209 The Clearview Gardens School in New York City.
Select speakers, including MLB Chief Baseball Development Officer Tony Reagins, USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler, and New York City Public Schools District 25 Superintendent Michael Dantona, kicked off the event with remarks about this achievement.
Students then participated in a Fun At Bat activation and had an exclusive autograph session with select New York Mets players. Each student received exclusive Fun At Bat, New York Mets, and Franklin Sports-branded gear.
“This is an incredible accomplishment for the Fun At Bat program,” said USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler. “With the help of Major League Baseball, this program has been able to enrich the lives of so many students and grow our great game at the grassroots level. The future of our nation’s pastime is in a great place.”
