Supporting youth baseball players throughout their development and working to make the path to college baseball accessible for athletes from all backgrounds.
KPB is committed to supporting young baseball players throughout their development and making the path to college baseball accessible to athletes from all backgrounds. We aim to create a level playing field in athletics and education by fostering academic, interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills.
We created Keep Playing Baseball (“KPB”) in memory of Scott Heinig, a young high school coach and former Division 1 pitcher who passed away in 2011. Scott was dedicated to helping high school players succeed and have the opportunity to play baseball in college. Scott’s family, friends, and former teammates created KPB to continue this effort. Today, KPB supports players at all levels of youth baseball with cost-free educational resources, positive and fun local programming, and financial support at ages when many young players struggle because of limited resources. Thanks to generous supporters and great baseball communities, our ability to deliver on our mission has never been stronger.
Since baseball’s post-pandemic return in 2021, we have grown our registration assistance program, expanded our educational resources, partnered with MLB players and local high schools to run an annual series of free baseball camps that serve over 300 Little Leaguers each year, and launched a college tuition scholarship program for first-generation college baseball players.
While growing these support programs, our website continues to provide essential, free resources to players and families trying to navigate the college search and recruiting process. The website received just under 150,000 visitors in 2024. As the game continues to evolve, we are working to make sure KPB provides information and opportunities to the players who need it, at the times when it can help reinforce their passion for the game and their ability to keep playing baseball.
KPB’s goals go well beyond the playing field. KPB leverages high school players’ interest in baseball to encourage them to focus on academics, organizational skills, and leadership, among other important life skills. Our mission thus extends to creating a level educational as well as athletic playing field.
In providing an A to Z support system for baseball players of all backgrounds from Little League through the college search and recruiting process, KPB is working to create a more equitable and affordable route to success for scholars athletes, both on the field and in the classroom. See the many ways participation benefits youth in the graphic from Aspen Institute’s Project Play, titled: Active Youth Do Better in Life (Right, Mobile: Below).
Thank you to the KPB sponsors who make our work possible!
For nearly 15 years, KPB has supported youth ballplayers throughout their baseball journey. Our scope extends well beyond the playing field. KPB leverages players’ interest in baseball to encourage them to focus on academics, organizational skills, and leadership, among other important life skills. Our mission thus extends to creating a level educational as well as athletic playing field. In providing an A to Z support system for baseball players of all backgrounds from Little League through the college search and recruiting process, KPB is working to create a more equitable and affordable route to success for scholar athletes, both on the field and in the classroom.