Impact

Impact on Kids

More than 8,000+ boys and girls, age 4 to 19, annually experience the WBA as a safe place for learning baseball and developing as a player and as a person. They participate in tournaments, small group or individual instruction, camps and clinics guided by professional instructors. For high school and college-age players, WBA leadership development opportunities include internships and international travel, developing the next generation of coaches, mentors and parents.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AT-RISK YOUTH

WBA supporters make scholarships available to at-risk youth whose families might never be able to afford lessons or leadership development programs. The WBA partners with youth serving agencies including Boys & Girls Clubs and Charis House to find kids who would benefit from its mentoring instruction.

"I have learned hard work—no shortcuts, doing things the right way, patience, and how to fix my mistakes.” - Dominic, age 11

Impact on the Community

In addition to the nearly 1,000 boys and girls from the Fort Wayne area that receive quality baseball instruction at the WBA, another 5,300 young people from the Midwest and Canada experience the WBA’s safe, well-organized Hoosier Classic tournaments. The tournaments currently provide $2.63 million in annual economic impact.

WBA fields and the indoor ASH Centre fieldhouse are utilized by many area youth sports teams as well as high schools and colleges including IPFW, Indiana Tech and the University of Saint Francis.

“The World Baseball Academy is invaluable for the Fort Wayne community. These kids might enter the dugout as players, but they leave as leaders.” - Eric Wedge, Former MLB Manager