The BASE uses sports to provide pathways to higher education and productive citizenship for student-athletes. It operates a premier urban youth academy that offers exceptional athletic training and competition combined with academic and career support.

The BASE proudly serves 1,500 students annually, primarily from the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan. At its core, The BASE increases access to athletic, academic and career opportunities, aiming to shift the national mindset about what it takes for urban youth to succeed and to build a movement of citizens committed to their success.

All Boston K Men official gear is designed by artist Matt Tavares, a longtime K Man and now a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of many award-winning children’s books including Growing Up Pedro.




Order your original K Men shirts and hats today and then help us spread the word about our ongoing campaign for The BASE by sharing this campaign with your family and friends.

Thank you.



BE A K MAN OR WOMAN FOR A GAME

For every additional $20 donated to The BASE above the cost of a shirt or hat, participants may submit one individual entry into a drawing to win two Red Sox tickets and a spot posting Ks at Fenway. The drawing will be held in the fall, so order your original K Men shirts and hats or donate today.

HISTORY

The Boston K Men phenomenon began 23 years ago, when Pedro Martinez joined the Red Sox. At every home game that Pedro pitched between 1998 and 2004, the crew plastered K signs symbolizing his strikeouts on the back wall of the Fenway Park bleachers. K is the symbol for strikeout because it is the last letter of the word “struck,” as in, “most batters who faced Pedro struck out.”



After Pedro left the Sox, the K Men migrated from the bleachers to their current perch above the Green Monster, posting Ks each season for the team’s ace pitcher. Today, the crew records strikeouts each time Chris Sale takes the mound at Fenway.



While “The K Men” is the group’s official name, it is a bit of a misnomer. The K Men believe in equal opportunity, with representation from men, women and children.

The K Men are committed to using their role within Red Sox Nation to promote local charities each season.

Support The BASE by ordering your original K Men t-shirts and hats!