TAMPA, Fla. —  New York Mets All-Star and Tampa native Pete Alonso will be honored this weekend during the Gasparilla Children’s Parade for his foundation’s philanthropic work in Tampa.

The Alonso Foundation donated a field tractor to West Tampa Little League, as well as rebuilt the park’s batting cages.

The donation was worth thousands and would have taken parents and coaches years to raise.

“When they come to the field, they can see that where they are playing is a nice place,” said Bryan Palacio, president of the West Tampa Little League. “They don’t like, you know, playing in a place where it’s run down and the fields aren’t up to par with the other leagues that we play against.  

“So when we make those improvements, yeah, the kids definitely notice.”

Palacio grew up in West Tampa and played baseball at the same field his children now play.

After taking a break from youth baseball to raise his kids, he rejoined the West Tampa Little League in 2022 when the league was struggling due to lower player numbers.

“We were down about 80 kids league-wide,” said Palacio. "We’ve about doubled that now. So it’s a constant struggle to keep up.”

In 2023, Palacio became the league’s president, challenged with rebuilding a baseball league that in its heyday had hundreds of players and was a draw for players like Louis Gonzalez, Fred McGriff and Dave Magadan, all that would go on to play in Major League Baseball.

As Palacio settled in to his new position, he says it wasn’t long until the Alonso Foundation stepped up to help.

“We’re always looking for good volunteers, good help, financial support,” he said. “So just out of the blue without really asking for it, to get that help was really big.” 

The Alonso Foundation is holding its second annual Battle for the Bay, a home run derby for kids 12 to 16, on Jan. 21, at Plant High School.

Proceeds benefit the Alonso Foundation, which will then name it’s second recipient for funds to help refurbish local youth baseball fields.

West Tampa Little League says registration for its spring season is now underway.  

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