Bookie Gates, founder and president of Baseball Beyond Borders, recently visited Good Day Seattle to discuss the upcoming HBCU Seattle series and its centerpiece event at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, March 8. 

The series, led by Gates’ sports-based youth development organization, aims to provide access, opportunity, and visibility by bringing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) baseball programs to the Pacific Northwest. Gates emphasized that the initiative is about representation, showing local youth that HBCUs are a viable option for student athletes. 

“Representation shapes belief, and that is why we do this,” Gates said during the segment. 

The upcoming "historic final matchup" on March 8 features the Jackson State Tigers taking on the Seattle University Redhawks. Gates described the appearance of Jackson State in Seattle as a rare event that builds on the momentum of the 2023 HBCU Swingman Classic. That event, an homage to Ken Griffey Jr., served as a blueprint for future HBCU experiences in the region.

Gates noted that Baseball Beyond Borders has an established connection with Jackson State, having collaborated on camps and clinics in West Jackson. Bringing the team to T-Mobile Park, which he called "the biggest stage in the Northwest," was described as a "no-brainer" to showcase HBCU excellence.

The game is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 8, at T-Mobile Park. Tickets are available at baseballbeyond.org, with proceeds supporting Baseball Beyond Borders' mission to provide regional youth with access to sports.

Catch Bak2Besa host Besa Gordon on Good Day Seattle every Thursday at 8:10 a.m. on FOX13 Seattle.