First2home, Inc is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit charitable organization focused on partnering and providing community services and aid to other nonprofit organizations in the community through the volunteer efforts performed by a group of youth athletes who have chosen to play for our unique travel baseball team in the Tampa Bay area. The Bay Area Barnstormers are comprised of a group of ballplayers committed to performing at least one team-based community service activity on a monthly basis. This not only teaches our youth players the importance of giving back to the community, but also serves as an ideal team building activity. We look to create great ball players through top level coaching and even better young people through our commitment to service.

The travel ball industry has become a high dollar machine that feeds on the hopes and dreams of young athletes and supportive parents. Travel teams demand costly monthly fees claiming to promote children through tournament exposure and ‘elite’ coaching. Parents come to believe that without these teams their kids stand a less than minimal chance of becoming the next Derek Jeter or Mike Trout. The financial demands become a stressful burden. The kids are under pressure to perform at ages as young as 7. We believe that if Major League scouts can find Big Papi David Ortiz smashing baseballs in the hills of the Dominican Republic, the League will find your child if he has the talent to succeed. The sobering truth is, less than 1% possess that sort of talent. And that’s okay. Let them play. First2home, Inc’s goal is to minimize the costs as much as possible. The game should be fun. Parents should not be driven to the poor house just to watch their children learn to hit a fastball. We are focusing on earning grants and donations to help offset any costs as our kids continue to provide services to the community.  As our costs continue to drop, our team becomes open to a greater economic diversity of players, allowing the team to more completely and accurately represent our community.

Once, one of the cheaper sports in which to participate, youth baseball has become ridiculously expensive in recent years. With glove prices soaring into the hundreds and bat prices commonly over $300, the financial requirements can be overwhelming for many families. Add jersey costs, league registration, and tournament entry fees and it can be a dollar too many for some. That’s why donations are so important for the success of the Bay Area Barnstormers, First2home, Inc and our mission to create better ball players, better young people, future leaders and tomorrow’s compassionate philanthropists.