TAMPA, Fla. – Knowing how much baseball and softball is embedded in the culture of Tampa, Pete Alonso decided to let some of the best youth players in the area take center stage at the second annual Battle for the Bay on Jan. 21.
Hosted at Plant High School, where Alonso got his start before being selected to three All-Star teams and winning two Home Run Derby titles as the first baseman for the New York Mets, the event featured a home-run competition for baseball and softball players ages 12-16 with all proceeds benefitting The Alonso Foundation.
Started in 2020 by Pete and his wife, Haley Alonso, the foundation focuses on supporting youth, veteran’s needs, and animal welfare. The money raised from Battle for the Bay will be donated to the City of Tampa Parks Department, which from there will go towards helping fix and maintain fields at Interbay Little League and others in the Tampa area.
“Pete grew up playing baseball here his whole life, so he knew he wanted to give back eventually to the kids of Tampa and everything, and he was in their shoes at one point, so giving back to them was something that kind of motivated him to start this,” said Haley Alonso. “And the Derby is such a big, fun thing that he likes to do, so he wanted to bring it to the kids.”
Pete Alonso brought along plenty of current and former MLB players to help coach the four teams of participants. Among them was Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Randy Arozarena and their recently acquired pitcher Ryan Pepiot. The other coaches included Alonso’s new Mets teammate, Harrison Bader, and retired MLB players Matt Joyce, Travis Hafner and Xavier Scruggs. The University of Florida two-way phenom Jac Caglianone was also a coach.
“The turnout has been super, super awesome. So many people have come and supported us,” said Pete Alonso. “The talent here with the kids participating has been super fun. And I’m super happy that there’s so many people here that have made this happen.”
Outside of the action on the field, The Alonso Foundation also showed its dedication to supporting animal welfare by partnering with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay to advocate for moving animals out of kill shelters and into foster homes or other places to adopt them. The foundation also sponsored a guide dog named Derby.
Additional opportunities to make an impact at the Battle for the Bay included autographs for anyone 16 and under by all the pros at the end of the home-run derby.
“It’s extremely important, especially being from New York City, having people use their platform to rejuvenate and put money back into the local community, especially where they grew up,” said Bader. “It’s really special and means a lot and serves as a really good roadmap for the next generation on their way up, just to remind them that as successful as you can be, it’s really important to give back.”
The Alonsos believe that the Battle for the Bay will continue for years.
“As long as we keep getting a great turnout, which we have, it’s a great way to incorporate baseball and softball, which are important parts of the Tampa Bay community,” said Pete Alonso. “So it’s a great way to get back.”