Why The BASE?

The BASE is an urban academy that uses the power of sports to engage youth in a positive, success-driven culture. They provide high-quality sports training and competition, along with programs for college access, career development, health and wellness, and STEM learning. The BASE develops and elevates urban talent and builds pathways to success for local student-athletes.

Our goal is simple: raise funds and awareness for our city’s kids — and help build a movement of citizens committed to their success.

Thanks to a generous donation from Bleacher Bar, 100 percent of your donation will go to The BASE.

Order your original Fenway Park shirts and backwards K 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.

HISTORY

The Boston K Men began 25 years ago, when Pedro Martinez joined the Red Sox.

At every home game that Pedro pitched between 1998 and 2004, the crew — mostly teenagers — plastered K signs symbolizing his strikeouts on the back wall of the Fenway Park bleachers.

After Pedro left the Sox, the K Men mellowed and migrated from Section 39, Row 31 to their current perch above the Green Monster, posting Ks each season for the team’s ace pitcher — from Daisuke Matsuzaka and Curt Schilling to Josh Beckett and Jon Lester.

Today, the crew records strikeouts each time the team’s ace takes the mound at Fenway.

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.” We post the K forward if the batter strikes out swinging; backwards if the umpire calls the third strike.

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 Fenway Park shirts and backwards K hats!