Perfect Game Foundation

Over the past decade Perfect Game has enjoyed much success. The original mission of promoting baseball to the best of out ability at all levels, became a reality in the high school level. However, it's always been a goal to do much more at the very youngest levels of baseball.

Perfect Game president, Jerry Ford has said many times that he believes "baseball fans are more important than baseball players". This statement could confuse some people because of Perfect Game's reputation for scouting and reporting on talented players. However, in time, people will come to understand the value of creating life long baseball fans.

The major reason for establishing the Perfect Game (non-profit) Foundation is to benefit baseball by creating more interest in the game. The PG Foundation will be involved in helping to support many outstanding baseball events and organizations. However, a major focus will be placed on providing "free of charge" events for the very young. The goal is not to teach youngsters the technical aspects of the game, but to make sure they leave with a great memory. Every player will receive the pat on the back and encouraging words, that will make them think the game of baseball is wonderful. And they will be getting this encouragement from former major league players, coaches and other recognizable baseball people.

Some of these young players will end up being big prospects. Others will become good high school players. Yet others may go into coaching someday, even if it's only helping there own children learn and love the game of baseball. Remember that the most important goal will be to give these youngsters a very positive experience that might cause a life long memory and create a life long baseball fan. The right words can mean everything to young people.

Often the emphasis is placed on those who display the most talent. Talent has nothing to do with falling in love with baseball. The world is full of baseball fans who have never excelled at playing the game. With the many different opportunities available for young people these days, PG feels it is important to be active in promoting the game at the youngest of ages. We want young people to fall in love with baseball.

The bottom line is that baseball will always have plenty of players, but will baseball always have enough fans? Those that are observant can easily see that soccer and other activities are going to put a dent into the number of die hard baseball fans. The future looks different now than it did back in the 50s and 60s, there's more competition for a young persons interest. We plan to do as much as possible to make sure baseball becomes a major interest in as many young people as possible.

After much consideration, we came to realize, if this was going to be a successful program and accomplish it's goals, we were going to have to provide this service free of charge. In fact, it was going to take money to accomplish our goals.

We want high level baseball people patting youngsters on the back, telling them they're good, filling their young minds with positive thoughts about baseball. This was the major reason for starting the Perfect Game Foundation. We feel that once we prove the program works and has a positive impact on baseball, MLB will get involved and help the program grow.

The Perfect Game Foundation will be involved in other things that will benefit baseball and players. We have a genuine interest in helping deserving young people who show an interest in baseball. This interest may or may not involve actually playing the game. The business of baseball includes much more than just playing the game. Baseball needs good people in nearly every field and we want to help those who have a passion for the game. We especially want to help those who need our help.

Many of the things the PG Foundation will accomplish are things we expect to discover in the future. All worthwhile ventures that fall in line with the Foundations goals will be considered. Much of what has been accomplished with Perfect Game started with nothing more than an idea. We think this will happen with the Foundation as well.

Many former baseball people have committed to help. If you have an interest in joining us in our promotion of the game, please contact Frank Fulton, the Executive Director of the PG Foundation. ffulton@perfectgame.org

We are very interested in hearing from anyone who would like to be involved.