Local Organizations Unite to Empower Tampa’s Youth Through Baseball and Mentorship
Tampa Organizations Team Up to Keep Kids Active and Inspired This Summer
TAMPA, Fla. — As summer rolls in and school is out, many children find themselves with idle time, which can lead to trouble. However, two local organizations are stepping up to provide a positive outlet through the love of baseball.
The Tampa Terminators, founded by Coach Jamie Anderson, are on a mission to "terminate illiteracy, ignorance, and incarceration." Every Tuesday night, they gather with local youth to mentor them on navigating the challenges of inner-city life. “If we can keep these kids active through baseball and also with the educational piece, it’ll keep them on track to fulfill their dreams,” Anderson explained.
Anderson, who began his baseball journey in 1978 with the Belmont Heights Little League in East Tampa before going pro with the Colorado Rockies, is dedicated to creating a safe space for inner-city children. “When you look in the mirror, you have to tell yourself you are the best in the world,” he encourages the kids. “That’s a positive attitude. Even when you’re watching the big leaguers on TV, you have to tell yourself, ‘I can hit him. I’m going to hit him one day!’”
Joining forces with Anderson is Major League Baseball player Mychal Givens, who has played for teams like the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles. Through his Givens Back Foundation, Givens aims to give back to the community that shaped him. “I’m just a guy that wants to give back to my community,” he said.
Every Tuesday at 6 p.m., dozens of kids gather at Rome & Sligh Park in Tampa, where they not only learn baseball skills but also valuable life lessons. Eleven-year-old Chico Anderson, Coach Anderson’s son, shared, “It helps me stay focused in school, be a better player out on the field, and helps me focus on what I want to do in life.”
Thirteen-year-old Camden Disbrow echoed this sentiment, stating, “Me focusing on baseball and not all that other stuff outside of baseball – like all that bad stuff in the streets – keeps me focused. If I don’t, it can get me in lots of trouble.”
The impact of this program extends beyond the kids; the coaches find themselves equally enriched by the experience. Coach Mike Smith emphasized, “Baseball’s one thing. Becoming men, becoming contributors to society, that’s what we’re out here for. We’re helping y’all to become better men, to help y’all make better decisions than we made.”
As the summer unfolds, the Tampa Terminators and the Givens Back Foundation continue to inspire the next generation, proving that with the right guidance and support, dreams can be realized both on and off the field.
For more information on the Givens Back Foundation, click here.