Former big leaguer Jason Jennings a true Keeper of The Game

FRISCO, Texas – The Keeper of The Game Foundation is all about serving those with special needs and disabilities in and around the game of baseball, as well as displaying leadership in the community. So is former Major League Baseball player Jason Jennings.

“Baseball has given me so much and I feel truly blessed to be able to have played professionally for 12 years,” Jennings said. “I want to reciprocate that back to the next generation as much as possible. Secondly, my youngest son, Keathan, is high-functioning autistic, so special needs kids hold a special place in my heart.”

Jennings, a native of Mesquite, Texas, pitched for the Colorado Rockies (2001-06), Houston Astros (2007) and Texas Rangers (2008-09). The right-hander won 62 games during his MLB career and was the 2002 National League Rookie of the Year. Jennings tossed a shutout and hit a home run in his MLB debut, becoming the first player to accomplish that feat. As a junior at Baylor University, Jennings won the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy, both bestowed to the country’s best collegiate baseball player.

During his time in Colorado, where he left as the franchise’s all-time wins leader, Jennings and the Rockies teamed up to build an all-turf field that features flat bases so that it is adaptive to all disabled kids. The Jason Jennings Mile High Adaptive Field in Littleton, Colo., was completed in 2005 – the first of its kind in Colorado – and still is being used.

“It gives kids a chance to experience America’s Pastime just like us,” Jennings said.

Foothills Park and Recreation District Specialty Athletics Coordinator Wes Dulin said approximately 200 kids play on the adaptive field each year during two seasons – spring and fall.

“The Jason Jennings Mile High Adaptive Field has been absolutely great,” Dulin said. “The kids love it, and their families love the opportunity to be able to see their kid out there playing baseball. The volunteers probably get more out of the experience than anyone. This all couldn’t have been possible without Jason Jennings.”

Jennings also made numerous visits to children in Denver-area hospitals and participated in multiple local food drives.

“Jason epitomizes what it means to be a Keeper of The Game,” said Keeper of The Game board member Brett Bergman, who played with Jennings at Baylor. “As long as I have known Jason he has always been one to put the focus on serving others.”

Jennings also is involved with The Miracle League, Michael Young Foundation and MLB’s Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.) campaign for teamwork, caring and sharing. He was in the founding group of the MLB Action Team, a national youth volunteer program. For Keeper of The Game, Jennings has been a national advocate and helped orchestrate “Strike Out Hunger” food drives each of the past two years. The November campaign is based out of his family’s baseball facility, Pastime Training Center, in Frisco, Texas, and has resulted in more than 1,100 pounds of non-perishable food items collected for the local community.

“It’s awesome to know that we’ve been able to provide hundreds of meals to less-fortunate families going through a rough patch,” Jennings said. “That is what it’s about, especially during this holiday season when family time is extra special.”

Added Bergman: “The Jennings family has been extremely valuable in helping our foundation be successful with the annual ‘Strike Out Hunger’ food drive. They donate their time and facility, as well as participate and promote the campaign throughout its duration.”

Jennings, his wife, Kelly, and their children Braden, Keathen and Bailee look forward to continuing to support Keeper of The Game and helping the nonprofit foundation expand. He advises everyone else to do the same.

“Absolutely you should support Keeper of the Game,” Jennings said. “It’s a unique way to give back to the next generation and represent America’s Pastime by getting involved at a personal level in fun events, not by just simply writing a check.”

To find out more information about Keeper of The Game, visit keeperofthegame.org. The foundation can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter (@BaseballKeepers) and Instagram (keeperofthegame).

-Story by Greg Weghorst