Prospect League Aligns with Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression

MAHOMET, Ill. – The Prospect League is partnering with Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression (AAAD) beginning with the 2024 season and becoming the first and only summer collegiate baseball league to make mental health resources available to all its players. 

Free therapy and a mental health training program specifically tailored to baseball will be part of the AAADF programs accessible to players across the Prospect League’s 18 teams. Additionally, each team and coaching staff will have tools to establish a mental health culture within their own organization. 

“Partnering with the Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression Foundation illustrates the Prospect League’s commitment to the overall well-being of its players,” said Prospect League Commissioner David Brauer. “Baseball is a particularly challenging sport, both mentally and physically, and our student-athletes will benefit from access to tools that can help them become stronger in body and mind. As Prospect League players develop their on-field skills, an ability to improve their mental approach will better equip them overall success when they return to campus.”

The Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression Foundation provides resources to anyone that suffers from a mental health battle. AAAD provides resources for anyone who suffers and also to helping create and foster a community where everyone feels comfortable and proud sharing their story. AAAD provides opportunities for any individual who wishes to share their mental health story while also fighting to rid the stigma attached to mental health struggles. 

AAAD currently has partnerships with Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks, the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, and NCAA Division I athletic departments at Syracuse University and the University of Wisconsin. In 2022, the AAAD’s inaugural Strikeout the Stigma Campaign raised over $30,000 for mental health, an initiative that also included Braves pitchers Tyler Matzek and Max Fried making donations per strikeout recorded during the 2023 season.

"We at AAAD could not be more excited about the partnership with the Prospect League," AAAD Founder China McCarney said. "I remember going on the road and away from home to play ball over the summer and feeling overwhelmed and alone at times. It makes me feel good knowing there is a league prioritizing the overall development of their athletes and coaches not just on the field, but off the field as well-rounded human beings as well. It is partnerships like these that will change the future of mental health in a very positive way. AAAD is excited to be a part of that!"

The Prospect League begins its 16th season on May 28 after record-setting attendance growth in 2023. The League has 61 years of rich tradition with origins dating back to the beginning of the Central Illinois Collegiate League (CICL), one of the NCAA’s original summer collegiate leagues in 1963.

ABOUT THE PROSPECT LEAGUE
The Prospect League is a premier Midwestern wood-bat collegiate summer baseball league with 18 teams across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. The League provides college players with a professional setting with excellent competition and high-quality facilities while delivering exciting baseball action and affordable all-ages entertainment to its communities. In 2023, the League achieved a new attendance record and led all collegiate summer baseball in growth. Known as the Central Illinois Collegiate League from 1963-2008, the Prospect League has more than 60 years of proud tradition as one of the original and most recognizable summer leagues. The League's rich history includes Hall of Famers, NCAA and World Series Champions, nearly 200 alumni in Major League Baseball, and more than 800 professional players. For more information visit www.prospectleague.com and follow on social media @prospectleague.

ABOUT THE ATHLETES AGAINST ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION FOUNDATION (AAADF)
The Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression Foundation (AAAD) is dedicated to providing resources to anyone that suffers from a Mental Health issue. AAAD is also dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels comfortable sharing their story and being 100% of themselves. AAAD provides resources like Free Therapy to individuals all over the world and a platform for people to share their story. AAAD provides an opportunity for benefactors to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come through resource creation and saving lives. For more information visit https://aaadfoundation.org and follow on social media @AAADFoundation.

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