Seattle Mariners launch new training centers to promote equitable youth sports

On Wednesday, the Seattle Mariners announced the launch of five Mariners Training Centers across EL1 Sports baseball and softball facilities in the Seattle region.

The multi-year partnership between the Mariners and EL1 Sports, a national youth sports training company, intends to expand equitable access and participation in youth baseball and softball.

“The Mariners are committed to long-term investment in a vision for barrier-free baseball and softball for youth in our community,” said Nova Newcomer, Seattle Mariners Director of Community Relations. “Equitable access to facilities, instruction, and advanced training have long been a barrier for low-income youth and youth of color. The launch of Mariners Training Centers provides us with a facility and partner who can accelerate our work to bring baseball and softball to more children and families in the Northwest.”

The training centers are operated by EL1 and are located in Puyallup, Redmond, Seattle, Tacoma and Woodinville. They will support team training and one-on-one lessons, and offer new camps and clinics. This will create more accessibility for area athletes from beginners and beyond, said the Seattle Mariners.

“It’s an honor to partner with my former organization to work towards a shared goal of making baseball and softball more accessible, and it means even more to develop the Mariners Training Centers in my hometown,” said EL1 Co-Founder and former Seattle Mariners prospect, Aaron Trolia. “Together, we’re reinvesting in the local community and partnering on the work already being done by local organizations to break down barriers and create more opportunities, no matter a child’s socioeconomic background.”

Mariners Training Centers will be available during select hours for community youth and leagues. The centers will also conduct free camps and clinics in communities throughout Washington.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to participate in sports,” said EL1 Co-Founder, Jameel Cante. “Growing up, I lacked a sense of belonging in the baseball world because I didn’t see a lot of representation of people like me on the field. Through our work together, the Mariners and EL1 are committing to walk alongside communities in the PNW to reverse the trend of exclusivity in the game.”

In March 2022, EL1 was named the “youth baseball and softball training partner” of Major League Baseball, to expand training for players of all skill levels and economic backgrounds. Mariners Training Centers will also serve as the official training partner for Baseball Beyond Borders and the off-season training partner for Hometown Nine Student-Athlete Fellows, said the Mariners.

The Mariners Training Centers will host grand opening events across all five locations over the first two weekends in March. These events will be free and open to the public. The events will feature throwing stations, hitting stations, and bat and ball games. Every child will also go home with a Mariners Training Center ballplayer kit.

Follow @Mariners and @EL1Sports on social media for more information and updates.

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