THE SIDE OF MARINERS BASEBALL YOU DON’T ALWAYS SEE OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE: To support youth-oriented community service programs and other worthy projects in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle Mariners take our responsibility to the community very seriously. We are grateful to the people of the Pacific Northwest for their strong support of this franchise over the years. In return, with the help of our corporate partners, and our fans, the Mariners are proud to have made a positive and lasting impact on the quality of life in the region. CONTENTS In 2017, through Mariners Care, the Seattle Mariners nonprofit foundation, $2,151,142 was raised for a variety of YOUTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL ....... 2 charitable causes throughout the Northwest. In addition, Mariners Care programs were able to benefit hundreds of EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ................... 6 primarily youth-oriented community organizations, and thousands of kids were HEALTH AND FITNESS .......................... 8 able to attend a Mariners game at Safeco Field. I am especially proud of the positive impact we have been able to sustain over STATISTICAL PROGRAMS .................... 11 the years. Since it was established in 1991, Mariners Care has helped raise over SEATTLE MARINERS CARAVAN ........... 12 $25 million to support programs that work to strengthen our community. None of this could be possible without the efforts of our players, coaches, staff, COMMUNITY OUTREACH ..................... 14 and the untold volunteers across this region who give their time and financial support to the many worthy causes you will read about in this annual report. I CHARITABLE FUNDRAISERS ............... 16 hope that you will find the story of Mariners Care as inspiring as I do. MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL INITIATIVES......................................... 19 With thanks, MARINERS IN THE COMMUNITY.......... 22 HOW TO CONTACT MARINERS CARE ... 24 John Stanton Chairman & Managing Partner Seattle Mariners Editor: Sean Grindley Design: Carl Morton Contributors: Demetrius Grant, Gina Hasson, McKenzie Mitchell, Korey Traynor Photography: Ben VanHouten, Zach Goldberg 1 YOUTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL PLAY BALL PLAY BALL is a collaborative initiative between MLB, USA Baseball, and USA Softball that encourages widespread participation in all forms of baseball and softball activities. PLAY BALL aims to give kids the opportunity to enjoy the game in a fun environment by highlighting the many ways baseball and softball can be played and provide a memorable experience. The Seattle Mariners celebrated the second annual PLAY BALL Weekend at Safeco Field June 3-4 as part of Major League Baseball’s league-wide effort to connect with young fans and REVIVING BASEBALL IN INNER CITIES (RBI) support the growth of youth baseball and softball. Part of the Mariners Care, together with the Boys & Girls Clubs weekend festivities included a surprise Little League visit by of King County and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, Mariners players Nelson Cruz, Edwin Diaz, Taylor Motter, Jean sponsored the 24th season of the Seattle RBI League Segura, broadcaster Rick Rizzs, Safeco Field Head Groundskeeper in 2017. RBI offers inner-city boys and girls, ages 5-18, Bob Christofferson, PA Announcer Tom Hutyler, 710 ESPN’s the opportunity to play baseball and softball through Shannon Drayer, and the Mariner Moose to provide Rainier an organized athletic program. The RBI League also District Little League teams with the Big League Safeco Field features a life skills training program concentrating on experience for their game at Rainier Playfield. citizenship and academics. 2 PITCH, HIT & RUN Pitch, Hit & Run is Major League Baseball’s official youth skills competition for boys and girls ages 7-14. Winners from each age division can advance through four levels of competition, including Local, Sectional, Team Championships, and National Finals at the MLB All-Star Game. Over 625,000 youth across North America participated in 2017. On June 25, the Mariners were pleased to host the 2017 Pitch, Hit & Run Team Championship at Safeco Field for kids from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and British Columbia. At Safeco Field, twelve-year-old Jonathan Berus of Seattle posted one of the top three scores in the United States and Canada to qualify for the National Finals in Miami where he was ultimately crowned the 2017 MLB Pitch, Hit & Run National Champion. SCOTTS FIELD REFURBISHMENT PROGRAM MLB and the Seattle Mariners teamed up with Scotts in 2017 to help refurbish a youth baseball/softball field at the North Snohomish Little League Complex in Snohomish, WA. On May 1, representatives from the Mariners, including Dave Valle and Head Groundskeeper Bob Christofferson, Scotts, MLB, NSLL, and the City of Snohomish held an official ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the new field. After the ceremony, the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation led a baseball clinic for 50 young athletes from North Snohomish Little League. 3 #CHOOSERESPECT The Mariners partnered with the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence to encourage young people to #ChooseRespect and practice healthy relationships. The program included a special contest inviting high school baseball and softball teams to BASEBALL TOMORROW FUND EQUIPMENT DRIVE #ChooseRespect and pledge their support on social On June 4, the Mariners and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund held the thirteenth annual media. The Kentwood High School Baseball and West equipment collection drive at Safeco Field. Fans were encouraged to donate new or Valley High School Softball teams from Covington gently used equipment to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County and the Seattle and Yakima were selected as winners of the 2017 RBI League. Thanks to participating fans and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, $15,000 in #ChooseRespect contest and were invited to Safeco equipment and cash donations were collected to support youth baseball and softball. Field for a Mariners game and to watch batting practice on the field. BASEBALL TOMORROW FUND FIELD MAINTENANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM On August 8, at Safeco Field, the Mariners Grounds Crew and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund teamed up to present a Field Maintenance Education Clinic for staff, coaches, and volunteers of local Little Leagues. Participants received tips from the pros on how to maintain youth athletic fields. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund also presented a $10,000 grant to the City of Kirkland to help #CHOOSERESPECT with their local field project. 4 SEATTLE MARINERS YOUTH AND COACHES CLINICS In 2017, the Mariners partnered with the Positive Coaching Alliance, an organization dedicated to developing better athletes and better people through resources for youth and high school sports coaches, parents, administrators and student-athletes. In August, the Mariners and PCA hosted two clinics at Safeco Field for youth coaches and Mariners Grand Slam Camp participants. The clinics featured instruction and Q&A sessions with Mariners coaches Manny Acta and Tim Bogar, and a presentation from an official PCA trainer. MARINERS GRAND SLAM CAMPS The Mariners and Grand Slam Camps teamed up in 2017 to provide eleven youth baseball and softball camps across Western Washington for kids, ages 7-14, of all skill levels. Each camp focused on helping young baseball and softball players build fundamentals and learn the importance of hustle, sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect. 5 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS MARINERS EDUCATION DAY On May 17, the Mariners held their twentieth annual Mariners Education Day. Mariners players, broadcasters, and staff separated into four groups and visited four different elementary schools. The Mariners spoke to kids at Montlake Elementary, Sanislo Elementary, Shorewood Elementary, and Meadow Ridge Elementary about the importance of education and adhering to the Mariners’ DREAM Team principles. The event enabled the team to deliver a positive message to over 2,000 students. 6 20TH ANNUAL DREAM Team MARINER MOOSE DREAM TEAM ASSEMBLY PROGRAM The Mariner Moose DREAM Team Assembly Program visits elementary schools throughout the Pacific Northwest and uses the team’s popular mascot as a vehicle to stress the importance of the DREAM principles: Drug-free, Respect for yourself and others, Education, Attitude, and Motivation to help achieve your dreams. PAGE AHEAD BOOK DRIVE PRESENTED BY PACCAR On August 15, Mariners Care and PACCAR hosted a book drive at Safeco Field to benefit the Page Ahead Children’s Literacy Program. Thanks to participating Mariners fans, 829 books, valued at $2,073, were collected for children in need in our community. 7 HEALTH AND FITNESS MARINERS GET WELL TOUR PRESENTED BY HOLLAND AMERICA LINE The Mariners and Holland America Line teamed up in 2017 to bring the Mariners Get Well Tour to hospitals in the Northwest including Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Seattle Children’s, and the VA Puget Sound. Mariners players and coaches joined the Mariner Moose to visit with kids and adults and provide autographs, photos, and gifts at each stop. 8 CYSTIC FIBROSIS MARINERS CARE GOLF TOURNAMENT The Cystic Fibrosis Mariners Care Golf Tournament, held annually since 1986, has helped the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in their continuing efforts to find a cure for CF, a fatal disease afflicting children and young adults. The 2017 tournament, led by Tournament Host Steve Cishek, was held at the Broadview Golf Club on June 26 and raised over $200,000 for CF research. To date, over $5,926,000 has been raised through the Cystic Fibrosis Mariners Care Golf Tournament for the CF Foundation. $200,000 RAISED IN 2017 $5,926,000 RAISED SINCE 1986 9 PLAY CAMPAIGN On July 6, the Mariners hosted the ninth annual PLAY Campaign event at Safeco Field for kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs and Seattle RBI League. PLAY – which stands for Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth – is a public awareness campaign developed by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) to address children’s health and fitness issues. Mariners Athletic Trainers Rick Griffin, Rob Nodine, and Matt Toth teamed up with Mariners players Taylor Motter, Ryan Weber, Mike Zunino, and Tony Zych to encourage youth to be active, eat right, and sustain a healthy lifestyle.