About us

Our Vision

A reality where every young athlete has equal opportunities regardless of circumstances.

Who we are

Baseball Access Project

The Baseball Access Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the East Bay. We use the game of baseball to open doors for youth in underserved communities and help them build a foundation for lifelong success. We connect young people with the mentorship, education, resources, and baseball opportunities they need to develop as athletes and as individuals.

Baseball Access Project players and coaches in front of the Rep It Out mural

Our story

Gabriel and Carl met on the baseball diamond as coaches from opposing teams. After swapping a few stories, there was a mutual consensus that the local youth baseball configuration had a lot of room for improvement: a clear need for better facilities, proper gear, and more overall access to the game of baseball.

Before long that realization started forming into a vision, where collectively they could pool resources to create an accessible outlet for local youth athletes. By combining education, mentorship, and overall health with traditional athletics, an opportunity arose to make an impact far beyond the game of baseball. BAP was created as a resource for young athletes to have access to the game, and a tool set for their future endeavors.

What we do

Access. Development. Opportunity.

Every BAP player follows the same three-part pathway. We call it the BAP Way: remove the financial barrier, develop the player and the person, and connect them to the next opportunity.

BAP players gearing up before practice

Access

Connecting youth from underserved communities with resources, people, and experiences.

BAP player fielding during an indoor drill

Development

Access is the starting point. BAP then helps young people develop the skills, habits, confidence, and relationships they need to grow on and off the field.

BAP hitter swinging outdoors

Opportunity

Development creates a foundation for the next step: real opportunities. Opportunities for youth to apply what they have learned and pursue their goals.

Who we serve

We serve communities throughout the East Bay, from Oakland, to Richmond, to Vallejo. Our players are hand-selected from local schools, but we welcome all East Bay applicants ages 12 to 18.

Introductions

Meet the founders

Gabriel Neustadt

Co-Founder & Coach

Gabriel grew up in Southern California playing baseball year-round, eventually playing four years of college baseball after finding his way back to the game through community college. Since then he has dedicated himself to both education and coaching, serving as a community college assistant pitching coach and later earning a master’s degree in education. For the past three years he has been a high school head baseball coach in Vallejo, CA, where he has been recognized as Coach of the Year twice. He has also spent time playing independent baseball with the Vallejo Seaweed.

“Baseball gave me a second chance and showed me how much the game, education, and the choices we make can shape a young person’s future. I started BAP because I want to give young athletes the opportunities, guidance, and support to become the best players, and the best people, they can be.”

Carl Bolster

Co-Founder & Coach

Carl grew up with an emphasis on athletics, lettering in three high school varsity sports (football, basketball, baseball). After high school he turned his sights to business, becoming founder and director of a Bay Area delivery company. Since then baseball has been his calling, spending the past three seasons as Head Coach for Leadership Richmond High School Varsity Baseball, where in 2025, he was recognized as BACSAC coach of the year.

“Growing up I played baseball simply for the love of the game, not realizing how much it could, and would shape my adult life. Baseball has guided me towards a healthier lifestyle, both mentally and physically. Sharing the game I love with young athletes has become my passion, and seeing them grow on and off the field has become my motivation. I started BAP with the intentions of positively impacting our community, while fostering a safe environment for kids to learn the importance of fitness, being a team player, and working cohesively towards a common goal.”     

Board of directors

Meet the board

Daynin Gordon

President

Brad Lincoln

Secretary

Tim Steele

Treasurer

Chris Owens

Director at Large

Coaching staff

Meet the coaches

[COACH NAME]

Head coach

[COACH NAME]

Hitting coach

[COACH NAME]

Pitching coach

[COACH NAME]

Mentor

Donate

PROVIDE ACCESS

Your gift provides access to training, academic resources, and mentorship for Bay Area youth athletes.

501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Tax-deductible · EIN 42-4123347

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