We created Keep Playing Baseball ("KPB") in memory of Scott Heinig, a young high school coach and former Division 1 pitcher who passed away in 2011. Scott was dedicated to helping high school players succeed and have the opportunity to play baseball in college. Scott's family, friends, and former teammates created KPB to continue this effort. Today, KPB supports players at all levels of youth baseball, and our website reaches over 135,000 users each year.
KPB's aim has always been to make all levels of college baseball attainable for high school players of all backgrounds. After taking steps to incorporate in 2015, receiving our 501(c)(3) non-profit designation in 2016, starting our in-person educational outreach efforts in 2017, forging a partnership with the Junior Giants, the flagship youth baseball program of the San Francisco Giants, in 2018, reaching well over 1,000 players and parents with free educational programming in 2019, and pivoting to provide online educational courses and help cover participation costs for players amid the pandemic, KPB's ability to deliver on our mission has never been stronger.
In the last year, we have hosted four free youth clinics for hundreds of Little League players, paid league fees for families who couldn't afford them, and helped high school players on their journey to college baseball. In 2023, we are launching the Keep Playing Baseball College Scholarship, a scholarship available to first generation college students who plan to pursue baseball opportunities in college.
Leveraging a network of college baseball insiders, KPB's "player-to-player" information comes directly from those who know college baseball best - current and former college coaches, players, and parents of players. All of KPB's resources are free and provided on multiple platforms with no sign-up or fees required.
KPB's scope extends well beyond the playing field. KPB leverages high school players' interest in baseball to encourage them to focus on grades, organizational skills, and leadership. In addition to information about baseball, KPB provides information about managing the equally daunting academic demands of high school and college. Our mission thus extends to creating a level educational as well as athletic playing field. In providing an economically viable way for high school baseball players of all backgrounds to obtain the information and guidance they need to successfully navigate the college search and recruiting process, KPB is working to create a more equitable and affordable route to college success, both on the field and in the classroom. Watch the short videos in the "Impact Videos" tab to learn more about our work and impact!
Mission
Keep Playing Baseball ("KPB") is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing the most accurate information and advice on the college baseball search and recruiting process at no cost. We believe baseball can act as a vehicle to higher education and better life outcomes. Above all else, our mission is to give every high school baseball player the knowledge and resources needed to play college baseball, succeed as a collegiate student-athlete, and earn a degree.
Needs
With multiple programs running at once, unrestricted funding allows us to immediately allocate resources to the projects and places where they are needed most. This will be especially important in 2022 and 2023, as the baseball community continues to rebound from the pandemic. Unrestricted funding improves our ability to be responsive to the needs of the individuals that our programs serve and has the biggest impact on our ability to create positive change.
Donors also have the ability to provide funding to the program or project that is most important to them. Program specific funding will be used strictly for the project or purpose specified.
We are always looking for in-kind donations for the raffle and silent auction portions of our annual fundraising events. Past donations have included Lake Tahoe vacation rentals, tickets to sporting events, tickets to concerts, sports and music memorabilia, home furnishings, gift baskets, and much more.
Partnerships are a cornerstone of our strategic plan, and we are always looking to partner with individuals, businesses, or organizations who share our values and vision. Partnerships come in many forms and encompass everything from working together on a specific project to underwriting KPB resources or sponsoring one of our many educational programs. If you are interested in exploring a partnership and working together, we'd love to hear from you.
Equity Statement
Equity is a pillar of KPB's core values. Keep Playing Baseball promotes equity, creates opportunity, and improves the lives of the youth athletes we serve by providing free support at various levels of the baseball journey, improving the likelihood of positive baseball and educational outcomes.