Trash Pandas Foundation offers “Trash Pandas Rookies” youth program

MADISON – The Rocket City Trash Pandas, through the Rocket City Trash Pandas Foundation, are proud to announce the launch of Trash Pandas Rookies, a new youth scholarship program being introduced for the first time. The initiative is designed to support youth baseball and softball players across the Tennessee Valley, helping more children take the field and experience the game.

The program is open to youth ages 7-12 at the time of registration and reflects the Trash Pandas’ mission to unite communities by creating positive and lasting memories, one experience at a time.

“Our goal has always been to make baseball accessible and meaningful for families throughout our region,” said Trash Pandas’ Vice President of Community, Client, and Guest Relations Mareca Watson. “Trash Pandas Rookies allows us to remove obstacles, invest in young athletes, and help create those first, unforgettable moments that can spark a lifelong love for the game.”

Trash Pandas Rookies provides financial assistance to families by sponsoring participation opportunities for players who may otherwise face barriers to playing organized sports. The scholarship will pay a portion of the registration fee for that player’s league, but not to include travel ball. The scholarships are more of a supplements for their participation.

There are particular requirements necessary for submission for the “Rookies:”

• Applicants must live within 60 miles of TOYOTA Field and reside in one of the following counties: Madison, Morgan, Lauderdale, Jackson, Marshall, Limestone, Colbert, Lawrence, Lincoln and Franklin, Tenn., or Cullman.

• Applicants must be ages 7–12 during the time of registration, and the application deadline is February 28, 2026.

• If selected, a Trash Pandas representative will contact families with additional details. Submission of an application does not guarantee participation. All applications will be reviewed and approved on an individual basis, with limited availability.

• For questions or additional information, please email communityrelations@ trashpandasbaseball. com. The link to register is: https:// www.milb.com/rocket-city/community/ rookies The Trash Pandas Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating and promoting healthy lifestyles through sport and positively impacting communities in the Tennessee Valley.

Before the 2026 Trash Pandas’ season gets underway on Fri- day, April 3, Toyota Field will be busy with numerous scheduled, including an array of high school matchups, college action and for the first time international baseball.

The Alabama Crimson Tide will return to Toyota Field on Tuesday, March 24 to face Austin Peay. The Tide and Governors will see first pitch at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale and are expected to be a hot item for any college baseball fan. The Trash Pandas will play its first pre-season exhibition game in the team’s history as part of the Global Baseball Series scheduled for March 30 and 31 and April 1 where the host Trash Pandas will welcome both UAH and Alabama A&M and the Toyota Red Cruisers, the official corporate amateur baseball team of the Toyota Motor Corporation based in Japan and who play in that country’s Industrial League. Each of the Red Cruisers are actual working employees of Toyota.

The Global Baseball Series serves as a bridge for cultural and educational exchange, celebrating the long-standing community partnership between Japan and the area of North Alabama. Tickets for all three games are currently on sale at TPTix.com and trashpandasbaseball.com.

The lineup of the contest are: Monday, March 30, 6:35 p.m.- Toyota Red Cruisers vs. Alabama A&M Tuesday, March 31, 6:35 p.m.- Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. UAH Wednesday, April 1, 6:35 p.m.- Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. Toyota Red Cruisers