Atlanta, October 23, 2025
News Summary
The Atlanta Braves have introduced the Hank Aaron Diamonds program to enhance youth sports in Atlanta. This initiative aims to improve baseball and softball fields across Atlanta Public Schools, providing upgraded turf infields and reducing maintenance costs. Funded by the Braves Foundation and various partners, the project is set to commence soon and will benefit student athletes by creating more competitive opportunities. The upgrades will be completed in phases, with significant improvements expected by early 2026.
Atlanta
The Atlanta Braves have announced the launch of the “Hank Aaron Diamonds” program, a major investment in youth sports across the city of Atlanta. This initiative aims to provide new turf infields and upgrades for all baseball and softball fields in Atlanta Public Schools (APS), thereby creating more opportunities for student athletes to compete. The program is also expected to help reduce maintenance costs for the Atlanta Public Schools district.
Work on the program is slated to start this month, with the first four fields earmarked for upgrades located at Booker T. Washington, Maynard Jackson, Benjamin E. Mays, and North Atlanta high schools. The costs for the “Hank Aaron Diamonds” program will be funded by the Atlanta Braves Foundation’s Henry Louis Aaron Fund. Financial support for this initiative comes from a wide array of organizations, including the Southern Company Foundation, Major League Baseball, Truist, Delta Air Lines, Google, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Gas South, MLB/Major League Baseball Players Association Youth Development Fund, Zeist Foundation, Comcast, and The Home Depot.
Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson has expressed gratitude for the partnership with the Atlanta Braves Foundation, stating it will be transformational for student athletes and athletic programs. Braves President and CEO Derek Schiller emphasized Hank Aaron’s legacy and the commitment to supporting youth education and sports.
The upgrades are projected to take two years to complete, with the first upgraded fields expected to be finished by February 2026, aligning with the high school baseball season. Following the Fall 2025 season, work will commence on the first softball fields, with completion targeted for the 2026 high school softball season. The initiative will also expand opportunities for middle school and community-based baseball and softball programs.
Importantly, the Hank Aaron Diamonds program is designed to support the expansion of MLB’s “Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities” (RBI) initiative, powered by the Marquis Grissom Youth Baseball Association. The upgrades to the fields will considerably reduce practice and game rainouts and drastically cut down infield maintenance.
Danielle Bedasse, Vice President of Community Affairs for the Atlanta Braves, noted that this initiative aims to empower youth athletes through sports.
Key Features of the Hank Aaron Diamonds Program
- Launch of “Hank Aaron Diamonds” initiative.
- Upgrades for baseball and softball fields in Atlanta Public Schools.
- Financial support from various organizations.
- Project work expected to start this month.
- Transformational for student athletes and athletic programs.
- Two years for completion of field upgrades.
- Support for middle school and community-based programs.
- Alignment with MLB’s “Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities” initiative.
Timeline for Upgrades
| Field | Upgrade Completion Target |
|---|---|
| Baseball Fields | February 2026 |
| Softball Fields | 2026 Season |
FAQ
What is the Hank Aaron Diamonds program?
The Hank Aaron Diamonds program is an initiative launched by the Atlanta Braves to provide upgrades for all baseball and softball fields in Atlanta Public Schools.
What does the program aim to achieve?
The program aims to provide new turf infields and upgrades for baseball and softball fields, creating more opportunities for student athletes to compete.
When will the program begin?
Work on the program is expected to start this month.
Where are the first four fields located?
The first four fields slated for upgrades are located at Booker T. Washington, Maynard Jackson, Benjamin E. Mays, and North Atlanta high schools.
How will the program be funded?
The costs for the Hank Aaron Diamonds program will be covered by the Atlanta Braves Foundation’s Henry Louis Aaron Fund and financial support from various organizations.
What is the expected timeframe for completing the upgrades?
The upgrades to the fields are expected to take two years to complete, with the first upgraded fields targeted for completion by February 2026.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Atlanta News First
- Wikipedia: Hank Aaron
- Andscape
- Google Search: Hank Aaron
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hank Aaron
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