A New Initiative for Young Athletes
Ben Zobrist, a 14‑year Major League Baseball veteran, has turned his experience into a mission to protect the mental well‑being of young athletes. He founded Champion Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to educating players, parents, and coaches about mental health in sports.
The organization recently partnered with Olivet Nazarene University and the Limestone Reapers to host the R3 Baseball Clinic at the Bradley 315 Sports Complex. The event welcomed children aged six to fifteen for a combination of skill drills and workshops focused on emotional awareness.
Sam Ortman, director of the Limestone Reapers and an ambassador for Champion Forward since 2024, described the clinic as both an entertaining experience for kids and an educational platform for adults. He emphasized the importance of involving the broader sports community in mental‑health conversations.
Tanner Schultz, a second‑grader from Herscher, said he enjoyed meeting Zobrist and playing baseball at the clinic, while eighth‑grader Beau Bufford discussed prioritizing mental health by recognizing emotions before and after games.
After the clinic, Zobrist signed copies of his book Prepare for the Pressure, reflecting his busy schedule across central Illinois and his commitment to spreading the message beyond the field.
Zobrist envisions a future where coaches and parents regularly check in with players, creating a supportive environment that prioritizes mental health alongside athletic development. He hopes the model will inspire similar initiatives nationwide.