Joining our roster means that you are dedicated to introducing kids to baseball or softball programming in a safe and inclusive way. You are currently running recreational programming for children and youth - especially those facing significant barriers - and you want to bring them together using baseball as a platform for building character, resilience and a sense of belonging where they can feel part of a team.
Applications are now open until March 6, 2026
Our programs are different from a traditional baseball/softball league because:
Eligible Community Partners include:
Registered charitable and non-profit organizations
Indigenous (First Nation, Métis or Inuit) Communities
Local governing bodies (local, regional, or unincorporated municipality, arrondissement, local service board, etc.)
Jays Care is excited to partner with organizations serving children and youth, especially those that are currently facing barriers to sport participation and will be offering Jays Care programming free of charge or heavily subsidized.
Learn to Play is designed for community partners and athletes new to baseball.
It focuses on introducing the fundamentals of the game—like throwing, catching, hitting, and base running—in a fun, inclusive, and accessible way. The goal is to build confidence, fundamental skills, and a love for the game.
Next Level is designed for community partners or athletes who already have some baseball experience and are ready to level up their skills.
It focuses on developing gameplay strategies, deepening understanding of the sport, and fostering a continued love for the game.
Challenger Baseball is an adaptive baseball or softball program designed to empower individuals living with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. This adaptive program is ideal for organizations that are motivated to create introductory sport programs specifically tailored to the needs, strengths and hopes of individuals with disabilities. In this program, baseball or softball is used as the vehicle to enhance four main program objectives: connection, courage, independence and love of physical activity.
Girls At Bat is an introductory baseball or softball program designed and delivered to create spaces that empower and centre the leadership and voices of girls while making it easy to build belonging. This program is ideal for community-based organizations that are motivated to offer programming for anyone identifying as a girl facing barriers to sport participation. In this program, baseball/softball is used as the vehicle to enhance four main program objectives: connection, courage, leadership and love of sport.
In order to answer calls to action around sport and youth programs as laid out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Jays Care seeks to amplify the voices of Indigenous children and youth, celebrate their success and achievements, and advocate for their right to equal opportunity. Our Indigenous Rookie League program (formerly Indigenous Playball) brings Indigenous youth together using the power of baseball and softball to encourage connection and love of sport. The design and delivery of the program is centred on Indigenous children, their needs, their strengths and their vision for their future.
Formerly known as Rookie League, RBI provides a platform for a wide range of children and youth experiencing diverse barriers to join together and participate in highly inclusive, mixed ability, safe and fun softball and/or baseball programming. RBI is the ultimate safe-space for any young person looking to find their team, develop new skills and have fun. Rookie League is developed for children and youth who face multiple barriers to participation or who are forced to sit on the sidelines. The goal of RBI is to build a sense of community and belonging for children and youth who often opt out of other sport programming. These athletes may face multiple barriers to participation including but not limited to, financial barriers, language barriers, sexual orientation/expression, responsibilities at home etc.
Applications are now open until March 6, 2026
Our Impact in 2025:
Feedback from Partners:
"Our facility is located in a lower income community and opportunities for recreational sports and physical activity often come with barriers. This program enabled us to give children and youth, particularly newcomers, with an opportunity to learn a new sport and be active. This opportunity was incredible to provide our children and youth the opportunity to experience baseball!" -Community Partner, ON
"The Jays Care Challenger Baseball program is one of the things that our campers look forward to the most every year, as it's one of the rare opportunities our Deaf campers get to learn a sport or activity with Deaf trainers. Indeed, some of our participants had never been able to join other sports leagues due to communication barriers. We are grateful to Jays Care for all your support through the years." -Community Partner, ON
"Before Girls At Bat, I was kinda shy and didn’t think I could hit a baseball. But now I love it! I made lots of new friends, and we laugh so much when we play. My favorite part is when we cheer for each other, even if we miss. I feel brave now, and I want to play baseball forever!" – Melody, 8-Year-Old Athlete
“When my mom signed me up, I didn’t really know what to expect. We had just moved to Canada and I was feeling really sad and left out at school. But after the first baseball session, something - changed. I felt happy for the first time in a while. Now, every week I count down the days until Saturday. I can’t wait to see my new friends, take the bat, and feel like I can do anything. I learned that sometimes all you need is someone on your team—someone who believes in you. That’s what this program gave me.” – Anita, 12-Year-Old Athlete
