Triple Play Ministries

Triple Play Ministries was founded by Josh Hamilton in an effort to express his passion for God. The mission of this organization is to help others overcome the obstacles and challenges they encounter through the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Josh and his team seek to impact local, national and global communities by committing resources of time and money into three areas of focus:

* Sports Ministry - Triple Play Ministries will host baseball camps for children. Josh teaches the art of big league play as he provides tips on batting, fielding and base running. Josh also encourages these young people to make good choices in life through his message about "people, places and things."

* Community Outreach - Josh and Katie Hamilton will share their life experiences to diverse audiences in a variety of venues, such as concerts, baseball games, churches, recovery centers and hospitals. A video distribution of their story allows Triple Play Ministries to reach an even larger audience who can identify with the Hamilton's and benefit from their story of redemption.

* Mission Projects - Triple Play Ministries collaborate with other churches and faith-based organizations that share their vision to fund charitable projects in the United State and abroad. The goal for 2009 is to give up to $80,000 to Arise Africa in Uganda, a project that is focused on completing the second phase of an orphanage being built to house 50 homeless children.

Josh Hamilton was born May 21, 1981, in Raleigh, North Carolina. He attended Athens Drive High School and was the 1st overall pick in the 1999 baseball draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. Through it all, Josh was recognized for his modest nature and talented baseball skills.

After a back injury in 2001, Josh was placed on the disabled list, leaving him with a lot of time and money at his disposal. He soon became involved with a group of people at a local tattoo parlor in Florida, where he began to experiment with drugs and alcohol for the first time. By 2005, Josh's priorities had changed, and drugs began to control his life. He hit rock bottom when he showed up at his Grandmother's door, looking like a ghost and needing a place to live. When she confronted him about his addictions, he swore he would quit.

While on his road to recovery, an article on Josh's story reached Roy Silver, the owner of The Winning Inning, a training academy that combines the fundamentals of Christianity with baseball. Silver asked Josh to join the staff, both to help him on his progress and to help him work his way back into the baseball industry. Recognizing that he needed more than just loving people around him to have a successful recovery, Josh realized his need for a relationship with Jesus Christ. Maintaining a regular schedule of church and bible study became more critical than weight lifting and physical training.

It had only been eight months since Josh's last drink or drug buzz, but it impressed Major League Baseball enough to allow Josh to return to the game. However, Tampa Bay put him through the waivers, allowing anyone to claim him for $20,000. In 2006, Hamilton was taken by the Chicago Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft, who had a prearranged deal with the Reds allowing Cincinnati to pick up Josh. Josh had a good season with the Reds, but it was cut short because of a wrist injury.

In 2007, Josh was traded to the Texas Rangers. After just one month, he was batting .330 with six homeruns and 32 RBIs, a major league best. At the All-Star break, he wowed the crowd at Yankee Stadium with his thrilling performance at the 2008 Home Run Derby. Baseball fans around the world are enjoying watching this phenomenal player rise above all his troubles to be able to play the game he loves.

Now, Josh continues to show off his baseball talents with the Rangers. In the off season, Josh dedicates his time to Triple Play Ministries, a Christian non-profit organization that supports people going through life-changing experiences through the awesome power of Jesus Christ.

Contact Information:

All media inquiries regarding Josh Hamilton's Triple Play Ministries, including baseball camps, mission trips, community outreach and speaking engagements should be sent to:
info@tripleplayministries.com

Triple Play Ministries website is: tripleplayministries.com