When Marquis Grissom caught the final out in the 1995 World Series, he secured the Atlanta Braves’ only world championship win. Now he’s helping to groom another generation of world class players.
The Marquis Grissom Baseball Association (MGBA) has partnered with the city of South Fulton to elevate the baseball programming offered at Welcome All Park. Registration is currently open for the fall baseball league, an eight week program that starts on August 14.
Ages seven to 13 are eligible to participate. The cost is $190 and families can register using the parks and recreation department’s CivicRec app.
“I’m passionate about the game of baseball,” said Grissom, who played in the Major League for 17 years, earning distinction as an MVP, two-time All Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner and stolen base leader. “I love the game, I love to teach it, I love to see kids smile, I love to see them work, I love to see the passion in their eyes when they excel to that next level. That’s what brings me joy.”
Grissom grew up in South Fulton, and played baseball in what is now Welcome All Park at the age of seven. His baseball association has partnered with parks throughout the metro area to help young players learn the game of baseball and the game of life. His program goes beyond sports by providing financial literacy training and tutoring.
More than 1,600 students have participated in the MGBA program since 2006. The association has awarded over $2.3 million dollars in scholarships to its players and 98 percent of program alumni have received scholarships from colleges and universities.
“The Marquis Grissom Baseball Association will provide an opportunity for the youth to be taught the game of baseball by an individual from their community that knows how to win in life and on the field,” said Councilwoman Helen Willis. “I am committed to ensuring that we have quality programming in our Welcome All Park facility and having the ultimate professionals that will teach our kids the proper skills, technique, and good sportsmanship they need to be successful. I have total trust that our hometown hero will do just that.”
The deadline to register for the fall baseball league is August 10. For more information, call 770-572-6709.