Jared Forma spent the majority of his career in minor league baseball moving up from an entry-level position in ticket sales right out of college to being the general manager of several teams including minor league affiliates of the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins during his more than 20-year career.
More than anything, Forma loved bringing people to the ballpark to share his love of baseball and giving them a great, fan-friendly experience.
When he passed away earlier this year, his family wanted to honor him in a way that would add to his legacy and share his love of the game.
“It’s not just about keeping his memory alive,” his brother, Noel Forma, said. “We wanted to expand on his love of baseball and share that joy with others.”
The family secured a suite with the Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate, for a portion of the upcoming season and plan to donate it to charities, schools, or youth teams/leagues either to help bring kids to see a game that normally wouldn’t get the opportunity or to be used as an auction item to help raise money.
The suite, dubbed “Jared’s Suite” by the family, holds 30 people and is available for 18 games in the 2025 season.
“We wanted to start small and see what kind of response we receive,” his mother, Peggy Forma, said. “If we get a great response, we can do it again next year and possibly expand the number of games by taking in donations from Jared’s family and friends.”
Announcing the offer on Giving Tuesday is appropriate as it demonstrates another way people can give back to the community.
Partnering with the Somerset Patriots was a natural fit because it’s close to where Forma grew up in East Brunswick.
“The Patriots ownership and staff have a long history of philanthropy, and we are happy to be partnering with them,” his father, Michael Forma, said. “The Kalafer family and their front office team extended themselves to our family when Jared passed away and this gives us an opportunity to repay the favor.”
The suite will be administered by the family and will be led by Jared’s cousin, Jeremy Neuer. Those interested should email jaredssuite@gmail.com with details on the organization and the use of the suite.
“We really hope that this brings a lot of smiles to a lot of faces in the coming season and beyond,” Neuer said.
