9/28/2026
When we protect our athletes, we protect Baseball.
Swing, batter…batter, swing. Often starting in tee ball and little league, baseball players revel in the magic of hitting a home run, throwing the perfect pitch, and having a successful tag out. Wash the grass stains out of your uniform, pack your favorite chewing gum, and head to the ballgame. All the hours at the batting cage, infield and outfield drills, and throwing and catching fundamentals culminate in the adrenaline-packed moments at the bottom of the ninth when the bases are loaded. When we protect our baseball players, we keep this sport safe and healthy for all.
Courage First Athlete Helpline
Use this resource if you are in need of confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a no-cost call and text service for anyone in need. +1 888-279-1026
Common Baseball Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Baseball has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Team environments can be potential havens for peer-on-peer abuse, hazing, and bullying. These behaviors are often encouraged, minimized, or normalized rather than taken seriously.
- In close team environments like baseball, socialized misogyny, or ”locker room talk,” may be accepted as a norm. Treating this as a norm can cause athletes and coaches to disregard consent and/or harmful behavior.
- Baseball often requires frequent travel, and a variety of venues are used for practice and competition. It can be difficult to identify isolated and other high-risk areas at variable and unfamiliar locations.
What’s the difference between tough coaching & abuse?
The Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams below can be used as a gut check; consider the conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community, and discern whether what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach-athlete relationship. For athletes who have unhealthy relationship dynamics with their coaches, inappropriate behavior can be subtle and difficult to discern. Awareness and prevention of these patterns of power and control help keep everyone safe.
Current Events
Unfortunately, news articles chronicling misconduct in sport and unhealthy coach-athlete dynamics are frequent and widespread. Abuse in sport has been occurring for decades, and the public is now becoming aware of these hidden situations as more and more survivors bravely disclose and report misconduct they have experienced. #WeRideTogether is committed to increasing awareness and continually updating this compiled list of current events on the topic of sexual abuse in sport. Sexual misconduct is happening across all sports, at all levels, internationally.
9/17/2026
Gunter ISD Coach To Be Ousted Over ‘Inappropriate Comments’
9/15/2026
Indiana baseball pitcher Jacob Gomberg accused of stalking, sexual cyberharassment
9/12/2026
White Sox scouting director reportedly resigns after investigation into verbal harassment allegations
10/18/2026
Youth Sports Families Allege Travel Company Threatened Their Kids' Playing Status If They Didn't Pay Lodging Fees
10/15/2026
Athletic trainer at San Jose school accused of sexual battery of student
10/14/2026
Details emerge on police raid of ex-Kempsville High School athletic director’s home
10/11/2026
As sports betting is normalized, college players have become targets of aggrieved bettors
Baseball Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety, Safeguarding, and Coaching within Baseball.
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7 Steps to Teaching Youth Athletes To Respect Umpires and Referees
Coaching
Gain an understanding of the importance of respecting umpires and referees.
Common Baseball and Softball Injuries – And How to Prevent Them
Physical Safety
Gain an understanding of treatment and prevention for common baseball/softball injuries.
Get a Heads Up On Catcher’s Helmet Safety
Physical Safety
Learn about proper helmet fitting and catcher safety.
Survivor Stories
Survivors are increasingly stepping forward to bravely tell their stories. The following stories reflect the survivors’ personal experiences, as told by them, and may be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct. All information has been anonymized.
If you are a survivor interested in sharing your story and learning more about this process, please reach out to us at info@weridetogether.today.
We want to hear from you!
You are not alone.
What resources or information do you want for your sport? Contact us and let us know.
If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct or abuse, please access these resources for help. For additional information on confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click the button below.
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