Our History Association of Professional Ball Players of America The Association was formed in Los Angeles in 1924 when twelve former players gathered and determined there was a need to assist the less fortunate members of the baseball profession. Since then, the Association has grown to over 101,500 current members. Our organization was formed when twelve former MLB baseball players, including Babe Ruth, gathered in Los Angeles, California in 1924 with first baseball Commissioner Hon. Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis and determined there was a need to assist the less fortunate members of the baseball profession. In the past almost hundred years, we have grown to over 101,500 current members and have provided temporary financial assistance to thousands of current and former professional players, coaches, umpires, scouts, and trainers. Major League Baseball, the National Association of the Minor Leagues, MLB Alumni, MLBPAA, AAGPL, and SABR have all endorsed the Association and recognize the important role we play in helping those ballplayers in need. Our Mission Our mission is to furnish financial assistance to the sick or indigent ballplayer or member of the baseball family when he becomes of an age where he is no longer able to provide for himself and has no other source of income. This includes any ballplayer or member of the baseball family who may contract an incurable disease, irrespective of age, who has no other source of income or relatives to provide for him. We are proud to provide emergency assistance for a broad range of circumstances one may encounter in their life. Since the beginning, our Association has grown to over 101,500 members & we have helped over 3,700 ballplayers.