Umps Care Charities Inc

Official leadership - umps care developed a new program which we piloted in 2021 called the official leadership program. There is a growing crisis across the country with a shortage of sports officials impacting all youth sports. Through the official leadership program, umps care will be part of the solution by teaching social and emotional learning skills and umpiring mechanics while providing mentorship and a direct line to employment to teens in under-resourced communities. In 2021 we administered the program in 3 mlb cities and have grown to 8+ cities in 2024 training more than 500 teenage students.

All-star scholarship - the umps care charities all-star scholarship program is for children adopted from foster care in order to help provide a college education to students who otherwise may not be able to afford one. Umps care charities awarded more than $75,000 in scholarship funding in 2024 and more than $400,000 since the program started. All-star scholarships are open to children adopted at or after the age of 13 years or older to provide increased opportunities for advanced education.

Brew crew tickets - major league baseball umpires offer memorable baseball experiences for children awaiting adoption, at-risk youth in mentoring programs, critically-ill children, and military families through the blue crew tickets program. Each blue crew tickets vip experience includes great seats to the ballgame, a goody bag of 'all things baseball, and the unique opportunity to step onto the field for a souvenir baseball and photo. The baseball experience is designed to strengthen relationships of at-risk youth and adult caregivers. Since the program started in 2006, mlb umpires have welcomed more than 9,000 guests to games across the country.

Family care - the umps care charities family care program was established to aid former professional baseball umpires who have fallen on hard times and are most in need and have expanded to include other members of the "baseball family and amateur umpires. Through charitable contributions, the family care program is there to assist those with short-term financial needs and helps bridge the gap until a permanent, long-lasting solution is in place. In addition, we have also created the 'covering the bases' community grant program -umps care charities is dedicated to helping organizations that directly support under-served individuals in the baseball and softball communities through the avenue of officiating. Sports strengthen the fabric of our communities and umpiring can offer an avenue for community development, youth development, economic development and athletic development. Apply for a mini-grant ($250-$1500) to support baseball/softball umpires and their training and equipment.