Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) Erik Nilsen discusses helping those in need

Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) helping those in need


Erik Nilsen, Executive Director of the Baseball Assistance
Team (B.A.T)

Mark talks about Players aiding others, David Price, Nelson
Cruz and then discovering B.A.T.

Origin: B.A.T. began under Peter Ueberroth, Commissioner of
Baseball in 1986

Baseball Assistance Team helps people in the Baseball
community with a short term bridge

Applicants include, players, coaches, minor leaguers,
clubhouse employees, widows, 

During natural disasters B.A.T has provided a short term
bridge for people in need with housing, medical expenses, food,
utilities, prescriptions & funeral expenses 

Tim McDowell leads program on Mental Health & Addiction
program helping to pay for rehab & therapists

Expanding Reach with Minor League consultants in Panama,
Puerto Rico, West Coast, East Coast and around the world

Covid Pandemic increased need resulting in over 1200
applications to B.A.T. for aid

MLB pays for B.A.T. salaries & expenses so all B.A.T.
contributions go directly to those in need

Main source of funding is from Major League Baseball Players
contributions through payroll deductions 

Many B.A.T. employees have a history in baseball and have a
greater understanding of those in need within baseball

Financial counseling & also work with Direct Path to give
applicants a way to minimize their medical costs

Aiding former players integrate back into society after their
careers with consulting & finding job opportunities

Adam Jones & Gary Thorne help with scholarship program
for degrees & vocational schools

Andy Lane story – B.A.T. aided the Lane family with the
health and development of their son Jackson  

Ability to impact lives & making a difference

Funding & demand – Players’ generosity is the majority of
where their funding comes from

Fans can participate and make donations or participate in
auctions Signed jerseys & memorabilia auction for Fans

B.A.T. Application process 

Where is the greatest need?  
loss of income, medical emergencies, addiction, disasters &
families in need



Thank you to Erik Nilsen & The Baseball Assistance Team for
being a lifeline to those in the baseball community


If you know someone in need or just want to know more you can
reach out to B.A.T. at BAT@MLB.com or speak to them directly
Monday -Friday at 212-931-7822 where they have a bi-lingual staff
who can answer your questions.
https://www.mlb.com/baseball-assistance-team


Special Thanks to Erik Nilsen for sharing the story of the
Baseball Assistance Team


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