Medicine Hat Mavericks support Strikeout Stigma Fund in honour of Mason Close

Wendy said the work is about fulfilling Mason’s wishes.

“This was his wish,” she said.

The Strikeout Stigma Foundation was created in Mason’s honour to support young athletes struggling with mental health and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges.

Since 2021, the Strikeout Stigma Fund at the Community Foundation has distributed close to $25,000.

The donation also has a connection to the Community Foundation’s history with baseball.

CFSEA executive director Niki Gray said founder John P. Ignatius was a strong supporter of baseball and established the TX Ranches Baseball Fund in 1998 with a $40,000 gift to support the Friends of Medicine Hat Youth Baseball Society.

That fund has since distributed more than $50,000 to support youth baseball and education.

Gray said the foundation believed Ignatius would be proud to see the June 6 proceeds supporting the next generation through the Strikeout Stigma Fund.

“We believe that John would feel immense pride of the Strikeout Stigma Fund in Honour of Mason and the work Strikeout Stigma is doing to support our region,” Gray said.

The Close family said the fund is supporting a range of initiatives, including scholarships, counselling and programs designed to help young athletes access mental health support.

They said accessibility is a key part of the work, intending to ensure youth can access support when they need it, regardless of barriers.

The Mavericks, who play in the Western Canadian Baseball League, have also supported community initiatives through youth development programs, school and community outreach and local partnerships.

When the Medicine Hat Mavericks hosted the Miller Express, a friend of Mason threw the opening pitch with the Strikeout Stigma Foundation.

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(Image Credit: Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta)

by Jett Schwaier

Medicine Hat Mavericks support Strikeout Stigma Fund in honour of Mason Close

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