Major League Baseball launches “MLB Together” as a new social responsibility platform for this 2023

Major League Baseball announced the debut of “MLB Together,” the League’s new platform that emphasizes baseball’s efforts to make significant contributions to society through the power of association and community.

Let’s remember that MLB Together is an initiative launched by Major League Baseball (MLB) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was first announced in March 2020 and aims to unite and support communities affected by the health crisis through different programs and activities.

MLB Together it will incorporate the guiding principles of the sport of community participation, non-profit associations, social impact and volunteerism. The platform will also feature a new youth mental health and wellness initiative.

Three-time All-Star and recent cancer survivor, Liam Hendrixwill serve as an ambassador for MLB Together.

MLB Together will serve as an ongoing call to action for everyone in the game, including fans, to get involved in their communities through a diverse offering of goodwill, legacy and charity programs.

More information about this work, with which MLB, their clubs and their partners have been engaged for decades, is available at MLBTogether.com . As part of the launch, MLB is introducing a new MLB Together video ad featuring Major League Baseball players, including award winners. Roberto Clemente, Adam Wainwright y Nelson Cruz .

Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: “MLB Together represents the best of what our sport means to our fans and our communities. Baseball’s ability to unite people through shared values ​​and address common causes has helped secure the game’s status within our culture. We look forward to working with our clubs, partners, players and fans to make a meaningful impact in the community through the MLB Together platform.”

The MLB Together platform will operate within seven pillars and corresponding guiding principles, partnerships and programs, including:

Youth Empowerment –

1. Mental health, wellness, belonging and bullying prevention
2. Encourage physical activity and access to baseball and softball
3. Educational, career and career development support

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion –

1. Closing equity gaps for underrepresented communities
2. Voter Education and Access

Domestic and Physical Security –

• Prevention and support for survivors in the areas of domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking

Health Research and Resources:

• As a founding donor to Stand Up To Cancer, continue to address cancer-focused causes as well as ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Resources for Military and Veteran Families:

1. Resources, Support Services, and Tributes for Military Families, Veterans, and Active Duty Members
2. Disaster Relief: active membership of the American Red Cross disaster response program
3. MLB Green : environmental sustainability and green initiatives

Launched during Mental Health Awareness Month, MLB’s new mental health and wellness program aims to raise public awareness, destigmatize mental health conversations, provide education and resources, and interactive support with a special emphasis on youth.

The goal is to raise awareness of mental health issues, build communities conducive to mental well-being, and encourage those connected to the game—fans, employees, players, and team personnel—to ask for help when needed.

The program will revolve around the following:

Awareness : share inspiring and powerful stories from influential baseball figures, including the players.

Education : EVERFI de Blackbaud will operate an online educational course for students in grades 8-10 within the 30 MLB Club regions. The course will consist of six 10-minute online modules on understanding mental wellbeing.

Support : In partnership with the Crisis Text Line, MLB and its clubs will share information on how young fans, parents, and anyone involved with our game can receive free, confidential mental health and crisis support in English and Spanish by texting “ MLB” to 741741.

Volunteer crisis counselors at Crisis Text Line are available 24/7 to help anyone in need dealing with anxiety, depression, grief and self-harm. Information from the Crisis Text Line (“MLB” to 741741) will be displayed in all stadiums, on the MLB Network and on various MLB digital platforms.

PSA – MLB will feature a new PSA featuring MLB players including Carlos Correa, Austin Meadows, Carlos Rodón, Kenley Jansen, CJ Abrams, and Kolten Wong, among others. The public service announcement will air in MLB ballparks, during national and local MLB games, and on MLB media platforms.

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For more than two decades, MLB and its 30 clubs have provided mental health and wellness support for players, umpires, coaches, staff members and their families, including:

a) Employee support professionals who offer free and confidential services to players, referees, coaches, staff members and their families.

b) All Clubs that provide confidential mental health resources to players on a voluntary basis through licensed psychologists, psychiatrists or other mental health physicians

c) Joint MLB-MLBPA treatment boards for a variety of mental health issues and behaviors

d) A Player Resource Center for current and former players on support and advice.

e) Provide all MLB minor league players, umpires and staff with access to the Unmind workplace wellness platform.

f) Educational and awareness initiatives for players and clubs, including rookie career development and Ahead in the Count.

As part of the seven pillars of MLB Together, the platform will highlight significant and enduring MLB initiatives, including:

Support for national charities: Fundación Jackie Robinson, Stand Up To Cancer, Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Cause-Based Celebrations of Baseball Legends: Jackie Robinson Day, Roberto Clemente Day, Lou Gehrig Day

Cause-based events and legacy triggers: All-Star and World Series Legacy programs, MLB World Tour community programs, Mother’s Day/Breast Cancer Awareness, Father’s Day/Prostate Cancer Awareness, Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, Day of Service for the September 11, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day.

Sport should not be isolated from social responsibility actions and that is why there should be more programs like this to ensure the well-being of all those who are part of the sports industry such as athletes and fans, this is part of marketing sports where not everything is entertainment.

Fuente: www.mlb.com