Home / Sports / Kidd Swings for Fences with New Baseball Venture
Kidd Swings for Fences with New Baseball Venture
16 Jan
Summary
- Jason Kidd launches JK Select Baseball with a regional focus.
- Program aims to invest in kids and develop mentorship.
- Draws inspiration from successful JK Select Girls Basketball.
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is venturing into youth baseball with the launch of JK Select Baseball. This new initiative aims to replicate the success of his JK Select Girls Basketball program, which has developed numerous Division I athletes. Kidd's vision includes a multi-tiered approach, with elite national teams and local Dallas-area squads, alongside licensing opportunities for existing youth organizations.
Kidd stated the program's core mission is to "invest in kids" and provide them with wisdom and mentorship. He drew inspiration for this endeavor partly from following his son Chance Kidd on the select baseball circuit. The basketball program, established in his childhood Bay Area, was notably created after the tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi Bryant, honoring their legacy through youth development.
With a long-term goal of over 1,000 teams nationwide, Kidd plans a phased regional rollout. He believes sports significantly contribute to a child's growth, maturity, and ability to handle life's challenges. Kidd hopes JK Select Baseball will foster positive experiences and strong relationships among young athletes, mirroring the life lessons he learned from influential figures like Rickey Henderson and Tony LaRussa during his own youth.
