The Atlanta Braves have announced that they will be partnering with the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) district to invest in baseball and softball programs across the city.
The Hank Aaron Diamonds Initiative, named after the legendary former Atlanta Braves player, will rebuild and upgrade the infields at all operating high schools within the school district.
The goal of the program is to develop a “high-quality, baseball and softball experience for APS students and City of Atlanta youth.”
Each diamond funded by the program will include a turf infield and other necessary upgrades, depending on the facility.
“Hank Aaron was one of the greatest players this game has ever seen, but he was an even better person. Off the field, he and Billye devoted so much of their time and effort to supporting the educational pursuits of young people,” said Derek Schiller, president & CEO of the Atlanta Braves, in a press release on Monday.
“We know that these fields will enable future generations to chase their dreams, on and off the diamond, just like Hank did.”
While the Braves declined to comment to WABE on the cost of the investment, the program will be funded through the Braves Foundation’s Henry Louis Aaron Fund, which supports projects that help grow increased representation in baseball and softball.
Companies that have committed financial donations to the fund include the Southern Company Foundation, Major League Baseball, Truist, Delta Air Lines, Google, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Gas South, MLB/Major League Baseball Players Association Youth Development Fund, Zeist Foundation, Comcast and The Home Depot.
The foundation announced that the first four baseball fields will break ground later this month, at Washington High School, Jackson High School, Mays High School and North Atlanta High School, respectively.
The estimated completion date for the fields is February 2026, with each field expected to be fully playable within 24 months of the project’s initial start.
“This incredible donation from the Atlanta Braves Foundation will be a game changer for the baseball and softball communities in the Atlanta Public School district,” said Greg Goodwin, executive athletic director for Atlanta Public Schools. “For the project to have the name of one of the most iconic figures in baseball history, The Hank Aaron Diamonds, it makes this even more meaningful to our district … The opportunities are endless with these new playing surfaces.”
Note of disclosure: WABE’s broadcast license is held by the Atlanta Board of Education.
