About

Welcome to the official blog of UMPS CARE Charities. Its purpose is to share personal insights on umpiring and the community outreach activities in an effort to generate inspiration and interest in the many programs of this Major League Umpire charity.

UMPS CARE Charities was established by Major League Baseball (MLB) Umpires to provide financial, in-kind and emotional support for America’s youth and families in need. Through our youth-based programs, professional baseball umpires enrich the lives of at-risk youth and children coping with serious illness by providing memorable baseball experiences, supporting pediatric medical care, and raising awareness for foster care children waiting to be adopted.

BLUE for Kids Program (our children’s hospital program)
The BLUE for Kids children’s hospital program captures the spirit of the Build-A-Bear Workshop® instore experience and brings it into pediatric patient rooms. Umpires and caring sponsor representatives visit children to provide a Build-A-Bear Workshop experience including a choice of a pre-stuffed bear, puppy, or kitten along with an outfit for their new furry friend. Team mascots also attend in this fun and interactive event designed to reduce the stress that a family experiences when a child is hospitalized.

All-Star Scholarship Program (new for 2010)
Education is an important part of life. In baseball terms, it gives you a healthy lead as you round the bases. But not everyone gets the same opportunity for higher education. That’s why the newest program from UMPS CARE Charities is the All-Star Scholarship. The UMPS CARE Charities All-Star Scholarship is for children adopted from foster care, in order to help provide a college education to students who otherwise might not be able to afford one. UMPS CARE Charities and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) have partnered to offer and administer All-Star Scholarship opportunities by granting one (1) $10,000 scholarship to a four-year institution or two (2) $5,000 scholarships to two-year institutions.

Read more about our inaugural recipient, Peter Jackson Jr.
Find our more at All-Star Scholarship.

BLUE Crew Tickets (our ticket program)
A professional sporting event is just the ticket to inspire a child in foster care or strengthen a mentor/youth match. Through the BLUE Crew Tickets program, Major League Baseball Umpires provide memorable baseball experiences for children awaiting adoption and kids in youth mentoring programs. Kids receive complimentary game tickets, a goody bag of treats, and the opportunity to step onto the field for a souvenir baseball and photo. More than 3,000 kids and chaperones served.

UMPS CARE Charities Golf Marathon and UMPS CARE Charities Golf Classic
The group raises money to purchase the Build-A-Bears. Umpires specifically participate in two fundraising events to support our programs. The UMPS CARE Charities Golf Marathon in November of each year (Mesa, AZ). MLB and MLB Umpires raise $2000+ through pledges and play 100 holes of golf in one day.  In addition, the annual UMPS CARE Charities Golf Classic every January  (Phoenix, AZ). A traditional golf scramble involving umpires, friends of umpires, and people from the Phoenix, AZ community.

UMPS CARE Charities is exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Financial contributions are deductible under section 170 of the Code.

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Find out more at www.UmpsCare.com