Baseball season is approaching, which means the Washington State Department, of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is looking for a child or youth in foster care who is "knocking it out of the park."
DCYF is now accepting nominations for this year's We Are Family Day first pitch, which recognizes a foster youth as part of Foster Care Month. This year, the youth who is selected, and their caregiver, will throw the ceremonial first pitch during the May 3 Mariners game.
To be eligible, the child or youth must:
- Have experienced foster care during the past 12 months in Washington state.
- Be at least 10 years old.
- Be prepared and comfortable standing in front of a large crowd of people and throwing a baseball to their caregiver at home plate.
Nominations must include:
- The young person’s first name and age.
- Information about how the youth has benefitted from their caregiver’s commitment to keeping them connected to their family, communities, and culture.
- Caregiver name(s) and contact information.
Every year, DCYF partners with the Mariners to celebrate kinship, foster, and adoptive families during their annual We Are Family Day event held at T-Mobile Park. This year’s celebration is centered on the ways that foster families and kinship caregivers keep young people connected to their families, communities, and culture.
To nominate a youth and their caregiver, email holly.luna@dcyf.wa.gov with the required information by Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. The selected nominee and their caregiver will be asked to complete a photo release with appropriate signatures.
We Are Family Day is a chance to watch a Seattle Mariners baseball game while supporting and celebrating the foster, kinship, and adoptive families in our communities. If you'd like to attend, get your tickets at https://www.mlb.com/mariners/tickets/specials/we-are-family.
