Petco Park, San Diego — On a crisp spring afternoon under the palm trees of the 660, the usual roar of a sold-out Padres game was replaced by laughter, high-fives and the occasional *crack* of a baseball meeting a glove. This wasn’t a regular MLB training session. It was something far more meaningful: a day where the line between athlete and participant blurred completely.

The San Diego Padres have quietly become one of Major League Baseball’s most visible champions of inclusion through their partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of San Diego (DSASD) and MLB’s Buddies Program. Launched in 2015 as a league-wide initiative, the program pairs MLB players with individuals who have Down syndrome for shared baseball experiences—from batting practice to on-field celebrations. For the Padres, it’s evolved into a year-round commitment that extends beyond the diamond.

What Is MLB’s Buddies Program?

The Buddies Program, now in its ninth season, was created to foster mentorship, friendship, and skill-building between MLB players and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each team partners with local organizations to identify participants, who then attend regular sessions led by players, coaches, and volunteers.

According to the league’s official community initiatives page, over 1,500 individuals with Down syndrome have participated in the program since its inception. The Padres, however, stand out for their depth of engagement. “We don’t just show up for one event,” said Wilson Ferguson, the team’s infielder and a longtime participant. “We make it a priority to build relationships that last.”

The Padres’ Approach: Beyond the Program

While most MLB teams host Buddies Program events during the season, the Padres have institutionalized inclusion. Their partnership with DSASD includes:

• Year-round clinics: Weekly sessions at Petco Park, including winter training camps and offseason workouts.
• Player-led initiatives: Padres athletes volunteer as coaches, umpires, and even bat boys for special games.
• Family integration: Siblings and parents are invited to participate, creating multi-generational bonds.
• Educational components: Workshops on sportsmanship, nutrition, and life skills taught by players.

In 2023 alone, Padres players logged over 450 hours of community service through the program, per team records. The effort earned them the MLB Community Service Team of the Year Award in 2022.

Why It Matters: The Impact on Participants

The social and developmental benefits of the Buddies Program are well-documented. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities found that structured sports mentorship programs like MLB’s improved participants’ motor skills, confidence, and social integration by an average of 32% over 12 months.

For many participants, the program is their first experience playing organized baseball. “Before the Buddies Program, I never held a glove properly,” said Jake Martinez, a 22-year-old participant who has attended Padres clinics since age 10. “Now I can field a grounder and even throw to first base. The players make it fun, but they also teach us how to be better people.”

What sets the Padres’ model apart is the consistency. While other teams rotate players through events, San Diego’s core—including stars like Wilson Ferguson and Ha Seung-ni—attend nearly every session. “It’s not just about the game,” Ferguson said in a 2023 interview. “It’s about showing up for someone when they need it most.”

The Business of Inclusion: Why MLB Invests

MLB’s commitment to the Buddies Program isn’t just altruism—it’s a strategic reflection of the league’s evolving fanbase and corporate partnerships. A 2023 report by Sporting Intelligence found that 68% of MLB fans view team community initiatives as a key factor in their loyalty. The Padres, in particular, have leveraged the program to strengthen ties with San Diego’s diverse communities, including Latin American families who make up 38% of the city’s population.

Financially, the program is supported by MLB’s Community Initiatives Fund, which allocates $10 million annually to team-based social programs. The Padres receive additional funding from local sponsors like Qualcomm and Visit San Diego, which underwrite equipment and venue costs.

What’s Next: Expanding the Model

The Padres’ success has caught the attention of other MLB teams. In 2024, the Los Angeles Angels and Miami Marlins have adopted similar year-round structures. Meanwhile, the Padres are piloting a digital mentorship program, pairing participants with players via video calls for skill drills and Q&As.

Looking ahead, the team plans to:

• Launch a Buddies Alumni Network to connect former participants with current players.
• Host an annual Down Syndrome Baseball Classic at Petco Park, featuring former MLB players as coaches.
• Expand partnerships with National Down Syndrome Society chapters nationwide.

How to Get Involved

Fans and families interested in participating in the Padres’ Buddies Program can:

• Contact DSASD to register.
• Volunteer as a coach or umpire through the Padres Community Foundation.
• Donate to support equipment and travel costs via Padres Cares.

Key Takeaways

• The Padres’ Buddies Program is a model for MLB teams, combining structured sports training with life-skills mentorship.
• Consistency—having the same players attend regularly—is critical to building trust and skill development.
• The program’s impact extends beyond baseball, improving participants’ confidence, motor skills, and social connections.
• MLB’s investment in inclusion reflects broader fan expectations and corporate partnerships.
• Other teams are adopting the Padres’ model, signaling a league-wide shift toward year-round community engagement.

Next Up: The Padres’ next Buddies Program clinic is scheduled for June 1, 2024, at Petco Park (local time: 10:00 AM PDT / 17:00 UTC). Fans can RSVP through DSASD’s website. The team will also host a special “Buddies Day” during the 2024 Home Run Derby at Petco Park on July 10.

Have you or someone you know participated in a similar sports inclusion program? Share your stories in the comments—or tag @Padres to highlight how baseball is bringing communities together.