Roberto Alomar brings Fun At Bat program to Puerto Rico

The Alomar family secured its impressive legacy long ago as one of Puerto Rico’s most accomplished baseball families. Santos “Sandy” Alomar began the family’s trek to prominence in 1964 with the Milwaukee Braves, setting the path that led his sons Sandy Jr. and Roberto to the majors.

Roberto Alomar ultimately reached the pinnacle, earning a place among baseball’s immortal’s in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

A 12-time All-Star and part of consecutive World Series championship teams with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993, Roberto Alomar isn’t worried about his legacy these days. However, he is eager to use himself as an example to Puerto Rican children so they can use sports to further their lots in life.

“The only things i say to the kids here is I used to be one of them,” Alomar said this week in Puerto Rico. “Thanks to the foundation of my parents, the base and home and all the advice they gave me, I tell them to take advantage of their education and sports. Sports helped me become who I am today. They can do the same or better.”

Alomar delivered that message again Wednesday in Salinas, Puerto Rico, when he joined Major League Baseball, USA Baseball and Puerto Rico Department of Education officials to announce that “Fun At Bat” will be available to nearly 90,000 students in 250 elementary schools in his native island.

Since 2016, the “Fun at Bat” program serves a million children annually in all 50 states and Washington D.C. in the United States.

Alomar, who serves as a consultant to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, is excited to back the program in Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico Baseball Federation also supports the “Fun at Bat,” which is more than just a baseball program.

There is also an literacy component to the physical education program, which strives to teach teamwork, character development, fair play and leadership.

Every elementary school in Puerto Rico will have access to the “Fun at Bat” program.

“For me it is really, really important,” Alomar said. “It’s a great, great program especially for the foundation of the kids so they can understand sportsmanship. Also it’s a great program to help children understand that it’s important to be educated. It’s a foundation for that.

“We don’t worry so much about the legacy. All we worry about is try to continue to bring programs to Puerto Rico to help the youth to stay in the right path. I’m really blessed to have this sponsored by MLB.”

Featured Image: Jean Fruth / La Vida Baseball