I've had the incredible opportunity to play sandlot baseball in New York City, Nashville, Dyersville, Austin, Lockhart, Durham, Tulsa, San Diego and many more. I've shared the field with teams from every corner of the country and beyond- artists, musicians, community advocates, designers, punks. And truthfully, I couldn't tell you the score of a single game.
I don't remember who "won" or "lost". What I do remember, vividly, are the people. The deep conversations that started in the dugouts and continued long after the final out. The spontaneous friendships built around a shared love for the game. Every city we visit, every swing we take, every laugh we share, adds another root to something much bigger than baseball.
That's the beauty of sandlot: baseball is the invitation, but the connections are what we take away with us. It's a universal language that breaks down barriers and brings people together in the most unexpected and joyful ways. I've found myself lost in conversations with people from across the world, brought together by this quirky, grassroots version of a sport we all grew up loving.
Sandlot has given me a sense of community I didn't know I needed. A chosen family that shows up for you, supports you and sticks around. This isn't just a group of baseball people; this is a sandlot family. You go out of your way to see them time and again. Not just for another game, but because they make you feel like your full self belongs.
Inclusion isn't a buzz word- it's the foundational core value. It's not about what you look like, what you do for a living or how good you are at baseball. It's about showing up as yourself and being welcomed without hesitation. That's the kind of culture sandlot builds. One where everyone has a place and every story matters.
Sandlot has made me more aware of my mental health, more open to connection and more grateful for the moments between each pitch. The laughs, the hugs, the swag swaps, the late night "Too Much Time On My Hands" jams. It's more than just a game. It's a movement rooted in community. This is a Revolution. This is sandlot.
-Matt Mestas; San Diego Avocados/Radio City Rockefellers
