B.A.T. celebrates 40 years of crucial aid at Winter Meetings

ORLANDO, Fla -- The Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) marked its 40th anniversary during its annual breakfast at the Winter Meetings this week.

“Today we're celebrating 40 years of this great organization … celebrating the history and basically promoting awareness of what we do so more people can apply for help and get the need they deserve,” said Erik Nilsen, who is the executive director of B.A.T.

B.A.T. began in 1986 with the mission of providing medical, financial, and psychological support to anyone in the baseball community, including players, coaches, umpires, and front office staff who may be facing hardship.

Started by former professional baseball players looking to aid their fellow former pros, the organization is supported by MLB and voluntary payroll deductions from active players. In 1991, MLB, the MLB Players Association and the Freedom Foundation joined together to establish an endowment for the program.

“I'm most proud of the fact, and most people don't understand this, but it's the active players that basically fund the organization,” said outgoing B.A.T. president Buck Martinez, who is also a 17-year MLB veteran and current color commentator for the Toronto Blue Jays. “We meet with every team every Spring Training camp, and they are generous in their donations to support the team to the tune of almost $5 million a year.”

This support is especially crucial for players who do not reach the upper-echelons of pay that come with playing baseball in the Major or Minor Leagues. That is true for Angel Reyes, who played in the Rockies' Minor League system, and turned to B.A.T. in his hour of need.

“In 2016, I got in contact with B.A.T. because I got an injury in my shoulder,” said Reyes. “And after I got that injury, I was trying to find a job. One of the things that B.A.T. helped me [with] was to create a path in terms of education, but also how to get healthy.”

The B.A.T. program represents a system of dedicated people and resources that help members of the baseball community when they need it most.

“I'll always be grateful for B.A.T. because if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't come back to finish my degree,” said Daytan Biegel, who played in the Minor Leagues from 2016-18 in the Royals' organization.

“After baseball, sometimes we don't know what's next, and there's always new challenges for us -- and I think B.A.T. is there for us,” Biegel said. “Because of them, I went to college, and now I'm graduating this Saturday.”

The B.A.T. breakfast included a salute to Martinez, whose term as president of the organization has come to an end. Former MLB player, coach and current ESPN analyst Eduardo Pérez was introduced as the incoming president.

Martinez spoke warmly about the wide reach of B.A.T., which is funded primarily through current player donations and provides life-changing grants to support members of the baseball family during times of hardship.

“Whether you're a Minor League umpire that has had a number of years of service, a clubhouse [attendant], a groundskeeper, Minor League player, Major League player, front office personnel, we take care of the entire family,” Martinez said.