Todd Frazier Teams Up With OFF! To Help Young Athletes ‘Squish The Bug’

Baseball legend Todd Frazier is bringing his signature swing and heart back to the diamond, this time, for a cause close to home.

The former MLB All-Star and 1998 Little League World Series champ has teamed up with OFF! Mosquito and Tick Repellents to launch the "Squish the Bug" campaign, an initiative timed perfectly for both peak mosquito season and the Little League World Series race. The goal? Help kids sharpen their hitting fundamentals while staying safe and bug-free during summer play.

With baseball season in full swing, Todd Frazier caught up with The Blast to talk about the importance of staying protected from pesky bugs while enjoying time on the field.

"I think it's pretty simple," Frazier told The Blast. "Growing up in New Jersey, I understood how bad mosquitoes can be. There's a brand I've been using my whole life, OFF!, and now I'm passing that along to my son Blake. It's a no-brainer."

The campaign includes a special turf mat modeled after home plate to teach the classic baseball move, "squish the bug," a motion that helps hitters use their hips for a stronger swing.

"I grew up hearing that phrase as a hitter," Frazier explained. "Now I'm teaching it to kids. You turn your backside, get your hips involved, and on the contrary, it also helps keep mosquitoes away!"

The partnership feels full circle for Frazier, who knows how crucial sports can be for a young person's development.

"Nine out of ten parents believe organized sports help build friendships and keep kids involved, and I couldn't agree more," he said. "I've always believed in getting kids involved in whatever sport they enjoy. Now that I'm coaching, I'm trying to pass that mindset down to the youth."

Frazier's journey began on a Little League field in Toms River, New Jersey, a moment that shaped his entire outlook.

"It brings back some really cool memories," he said of his team's 1998 championship run. "To this day, I walk down the street or into a store and people still say, 'I remember when you did this.' It brought our whole community together, and not just Toms River, but the entire tri-state area."

From there, Frazier went on to play for six MLB teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and New York Mets. One team stood out.

"The Yankees clubhouse was absolutely ridiculous," he recalled. "You walk by guys like Aaron Judge and CC Sabathia, and you better bring your A-game. It was later in my career, and it really reset my focus, no coasting. Just show up every day and compete."

When asked about the toughest pitchers he faced, Frazier didn't hesitate.

"Aroldis Chapman, my teammate in Cincinnati, I think I went 0-for-10 against him," he said, laughing. "Max Scherzer's fastball always rose. You never knew where it was going. These days, everyone throws 95+, and the ball moves all over the place. It's wild how much the game's evolved."

Still, for Frazier, the lessons he learned in baseball extend far beyond the field.

"My biggest thing I tell kids is [to] understand failure. You can accept failure, but never expect to fail. That's the mindset," he said. "If you go up to bat expecting to strike out, you're already behind. But if you strike out and know you can bounce back, that's how you win. Not just in baseball, but in life."

As for the OFF! Partnership, Frazier is proud to stand behind a product he trusts, and one that makes summer play more enjoyable for everyone.

"It's great for adults and kids," he said. "Easy spray-on, fragrance-free, non-greasy. I've got the turf mat in my batting cage right now. All the kids love it. They're literally stepping on the bug and 'squishing' it. It's such a fun way to teach the fundamentals and keep mosquitoes away."

Fans can learn more about how to get their own "Squish the Bug" turf mat by visiting @offoutdoors on Instagram.