'This is what it’s all about': Nimmo gives back to Little Leaguers

This story was excerpted from Anthony DiComo’s Mets Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

NEW YORK -- The sun was shining brightly over Flushing Meadows Corona Park earlier this week when play stopped on Field 10 and a microphone crackled to life. A pair of Bayside, Queens, Little League teams that were scrimmaging suddenly became aware that, standing off to one side, was Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo.

For much of the next hour, Nimmo took part in the festivities, lobbing pitches to a group of awed Little Leaguers. The scene was idyllic. As parents relaxed on beach chairs under a stand of shade trees, Nimmo laughed and played with the kids. In foul ground, an Italian ice cart was doing brisk business.

“This is what I grew up doing -- just finding anywhere that we could to play baseball,” Nimmo said. “To be able to put on this game and be able to have fun with the kids, this is what it’s all about -- trying to sow seeds for the next generation to enjoy the game as much as I have.”

For three years now, Nimmo has hosted an annual sandlot Little League game as a way to give back to area youth. As part of the initiative, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation has donated more than $2 million for renovations of baseball and softball fields throughout Queens.

The money helps, of course. But sometimes, donations of time can be just as impactful.

“My son couldn’t sleep last night,” said Teresa Reid, a volunteer special events coordinator for the Bayside Little League. “How often do you get a chance to be on a baseball field at eight, nine, 10 years old with someone that you idolize?”

Nimmo, who grew up a Rockies fan in Wyoming, recalls similarly looking forward to any chances he had to meet their players. Now, he’s the one in that role.

“You try and never take that for granted,” he said. “Our game can be stressful and pressure-filled. We have an expectation. It is our job. But I remember that feeling of … losing sleep over it because you’re so excited. To be able to have that impact is amazing to me. It might just be an hour of your time, but it makes a lifetime impact.”

The Little League initiative is one close to Nimmo’s heart. For that reason, he’s looking forward to Sunday, when the Mets play the Mariners in the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa. The last time the Mets participated in that event, back in 2018, Nimmo was on the injured list and unable to take part. He relishes the chance to be there this time and interact with another wave of children.

“This is what it’s all about,” he said. “It’s about coming out, having fun, being in the sun, being in nature, having fun with your friends playing a competitive game and learning those life lessons.

“So for me, this is where it all starts,” Nimmo continued, glancing around the Queens sandlot. “It all starts with the kids and giving back to them, because the game has given me so much. So I want to be able to give back where I can. This and Williamsport are a huge part of that.”