Our Why
Our Story
In late 2023, after our son’s football league folded we were in search of a baseball team since he mentioned he wanted to return to the sport. Previously, he played little league, but he wanted to take the next step. He was one of the best on his little league teams and was constantly selected for all-star teams during that time. His previous coaches were surprised by his abilities from only a short length of time in little league. The coaches and several parents recommend that we look to put him in a club baseball team. We then sought out local clubs to find a team that will welcome him and help him prepare to compete at the USSSA level. However, when joining these teams, he went through the pattern of being placed in right field and only batting once each game despite visibly being the strongest hitter. Specifically, on a predominantly white team we had a black coach that noticed our son’s ability to pitch and wanted to groom him to be one of the starting pitchers. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the coach was let go from the team and then the pattern of right field and only batting once reoccurred as we watched kids play positions they were not prepared for due to what most may call “daddy ball”. We continued to pay team dues (which we were straining to afford) and attend tournaments hoping for a change and that the idea of discrimination was not happening.
After communicating with other parents and coaches with minority children in baseball, we came to the conclusion that our child was being discriminated against and that the club teams were threatened by our son’s ability, stature and appearance. Apparently, this is a well-known issue in the club youth baseball community when including minority players. While speaking with these parents and reading in minority social media groups we learned that there was a need for a safe-space that these children can go for a fair opportunity and be evaluated on their ability and not their appearance.
As a result of the aforementioned experience, my husband and I created the Arizona Dirty Ducks Baseball Club to provide an opportunity for kids of all backgrounds to learn the game of baseball. We believe that every child deserves a fair chance to succeed in life, regardless of their background or circumstances. That’s why we started our team to help underprivileged kids who may have been discriminated against because of their color or social status. Our mission is to provide these children with the resources and support they need to thrive and reach their full potential. We work tirelessly to create a safe and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and respected. Our team is made up of passionate and dedicated individuals who share a common goal to make a positive difference in the lives of these children and community. We are proud of what we have accomplished so far, but we know that there is still much work to be done. We are committed to continuing our efforts to help underprivileged kids and to make a lasting impact on their lives.