As part of our new education initiative, the Coaches Certification Course, MLB.com Digital Academy is partnering with the Taylor Hooton Foundation to educate coaches, parents, and kids on the physical and mental dangers of using Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs (APEDs) including unregulated dietary supplements, energy drinks, hGH, and anabolic steroids.

The responsibility is on us as adults to have that dialogue with our young players.  85% of our kids sadly report that they have never had a talk about APEDs with an adult – no coach, parent, or teacher. Kids are beginning to use supplements and APEDs at younger ages and we as adults have to become better educated on the impact this is having on them, not just as an athlete but as a young kid. Education is key to addressing this issue in youth sports and together with the Taylor Hooton Foundation, we are committed to bringing adults and kids together, to help them realize that there is no place for APEDs in youth sports. THF was established in memory of Taylor Hooton, a high school baseball player who passed away following his use of anabolic steroids.  After realizing that an alarming amount of college aged kids all the way down to middle schoolers were using and abusing APEDs, Don Hooton, his wife, and other family and friends started the foundation to educate not only youth but also their adult influencers on the dangers of using the drugs. For more information, visit taylorhooton.org to learn more and take part in the “All Me, PED Free” challenge to live and compete PED free. Or join the All Me™ League by submitting your video to live and compete … All Me PED Free at www.allmeleague.com.