Griffey Jr. pop-in at Hank Aaron Invitational leaves players in awe
VERO BEACH, Fla. -- At week 1 of the 2024 Hank Aaron Invitational, participants were treated to a visit from one of the best who ever played the game -- Hall of Famer and MLB-MLBPA youth development ambassador Ken Griffey Jr. The Jackie Robinson Training Complex hosts the invitational, which
MLB hosts first Elite Development Invitational for girls baseball, softball
Early in July, Major League Baseball hosted the first joint Elite Development Invitational for girls baseball and softball. Dual camps took place at the same time, all unfolding over five days at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla. At the invitational, more than 100 high school girls
With championship turf in place, Legacy Field unveiled by MLB, Rangers
DALLAS -- A field for champions. Just 20 minutes away from its original home in Globe Life Field, players of the Rangers MLB Youth Academy will be stepping on the same turf that the Rangers stepped on when they won their first World Series in 2023. “It’s truly the meaning
Jennie Finch Empowerment Award goes to catcher Sofia Santana
Upon the completion of the softball Elite Development Invitational, Sofia Santana received the prestigious Jennie Finch Empowerment Award, presented by Arm & Hammer. Santana, a native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, attends and plays softball at the Robinson School in San Juan, P.R., where she is also involved in multiple academic
Umpiring crew makes special visit to Pittsburgh children's hospital
PITTSBURGH -- Nothing pairs better with the Fourth of July weekend than baseball. That’s why it was fitting that a team of Major League umpires found a way to surprise some kids in Pittsburgh who couldn't make it to the ballpark with a gift of their own. Partnering with the
Nicaragua finishes strong on Day 1 of Nike RBI softball tournament
VERO BEACH, Fla. -- In its debut on the world stage of international softball, the Nicaraguan girls team may have simply run out of time. On Day 1 of the Nike RBI World Softball Regional Tournament at the historic Jackie Robinson Training Complex on Friday, the Central American team --
Dominican Republic rebounds on Day 2 of Nike RBI softball tournament
VERO BEACH, Fla. – As the Nike RBI World Softball Regional Tournament rolled into full swing on June 22 in Day 2 of its tourney involving the Latin American countries and the U.S. Virgin Islands, one point became clear. The Dominican Republic’s squad of young girls was trending upward. Following
Birmingham kids get chance to Play Ball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- With the Double-A Birmingham Barons set to play in the MiLB at Rickwood Field game against the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday night, their home ballpark -- Regions Field -- could have sat empty. Instead, it was filled with the raucous chorus of children’s voices, as Major League
Lindor's enthusiasm a perfect match for PLAY BALL Weekend
NEW YORK -- Late Wednesday night, Francisco Lindor hit a 414-foot homer to extend the Mets’ lead in a win over the Marlins at Citi Field. By 6:30 on Thursday morning, Lindor was back on his feet and serving up pitches to a number of New York-based baseball and softball
Ambassadors tout passion for the game on World Softball Day
World Softball Day received special recognition in the heart of New York City on Thursday, with several well-known players celebrating the occasion in the heart of Times Square. MLB Youth Ambassador Lauren Gipson (Chamberlain) and MLB Softball Ambassador Natasha Watley spent their morning growing the game and teaching the next
Fun At Bat celebrates milestone with event at Queens school
QUEENS, N.Y. -- In celebration of the upcoming Play Ball Weekend, a special “Fun At Bat” event was held on Wednesday at P.S. 209q The Clearview Gardens School. The event was held to commemorate the Fun At Bat program reaching 5 million participants. Major League Baseball, USA Baseball and the
'Amazing' experience for players at Native American All-Star Showcase
ATLANTA -- The final day of the Braves’ third annual Native American All-Star Showcase -- a weekend workout, home run derby and all-star game at Truist Park featuring the top 50 Native American high school baseball players -- pitted Team Red against Team Blue on Sunday, and Team Blue earned
Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase a hit at Truist Park
ATLANTA -- Fifty high school baseball players participated in a once-in-a-lifetime experience this weekend at Truist Park. The Braves hosted their third annual Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase, and on Saturday, 50 top high school baseball players of Native American descent went through a pro-style workout on the field at
MLB alumni teach game to next generation at Legends for Youth Clinic
HIALEAH, Fla. -- The future of baseball got a glimpse of the big leagues on Saturday morning, as more than 300 South Florida youth learned the game from some former MLB heroes. The MLB Players Alumni Association and Miami Marlins hosted a Legends for Youth Clinic at the home of
Have you seen a center fielder tag out a runner at home plate? You're about to!
Griffin Bruns only knows one way to play baseball: All-out. On Friday, the Ohio high schooler showcased that one of the most unique plays you’ll ever see at ANY level. Manning center field for Marion Local High School in Friday’s district final against Fort Recovery High School, Bruns proved to
Play Ball celebrates Military Appreciation Month with special event in Brooklyn
NEW YORK -- With both a sparkling Gravesend Bay and the towering Verrazzano Bridge nearby, there were plenty of views on display for a special MLB Play Ball event at the United States Army Garrison, Fort Hamilton, in Brooklyn on Friday. MLB, through its MVP (Military Veteran Professionals) ERG, and
Kids of MLB employees get in on fun for Take Your Child to Work Day
SECAUCUS, N.J. --- Across the country, millions of mothers and fathers took the opportunity to show their children the places where they work, all for the purpose of the nationally celebrated “Take Your Child to Work Day.” MLB Network studios in Secaucus and MLB Headquarters in New York City were
Infield upgrade gives more kids chance to play at Gendell Family Field
The P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy received a critical upgrade to its first-class facility with the addition of a synthetic infield for Gendell Family Field. Ten years after the original construction of the facility’s jewel diamond, Gendell Family Field has now been upgraded with highly durable, low-maintenance turf. The
Trailblazer Series MVP wants to blaze trail for other girls in baseball
Izzie Dieter had one goal in mind as she entered her second year playing in the Trailblazer Series earlier this month: She was determined to do her best on and off the field. Her effort shined throughout the event. Dieter, 13, won the MLB Develops MVP Award presented by Chevrolet
Reds host week-long schedule of events to honor Jackie
The Reds joined Major League Baseball in celebrating Jackie Robinson Day with a week’s worth of activities honoring one of the game’s legendary figures. Every year on April 15, MLB honors the Brooklyn Dodgers trailblazer at ballparks across the league with a day full of ceremonies to commemorate Robinson’s legacy.
'It was amazing': Area youth gifted specialized helmet
MINNEAPOLIS -- At a certain point as Bennett Fisk continued his youth baseball career, he needed to push down on the top of his batting helmet and rock it forward over his forehead just so that he could meet the safety standards enforced by the umpires at his games. There
Trailblazer Series enters seventh year with star-studded staff
The annual Trailblazer Series, an initiative by Major League Baseball aimed at fostering youth girls' baseball development, enters its seventh year with a two-day event scheduled for Sunday and Monday. Girls ages 11-13 will compete and develop their skills over the two days of competition. The event will feature more
Reds give back with clinic for youth coaches
In partnership with USA Baseball, the Reds Community Fund hosted an annual Coaches Clinic prior to the Reds vs. Mets game at Great American Ball Park on Sunday. The format featured four members of the Reds coaching staff who presented to more than 60 youth baseball and softball coaches. Hitting
MLB partners with Girl Scouts to offer baseball kits to thousands
Major League Baseball and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) today announced the launch of a new partnership, starting with a program for new Girl Scout Daisy troops emphasizing fun and friendship, while encouraging girls to play baseball and softball through MLB’s broader PLAY BALL initiative (PlayBall.org). MLB will provide
Enthusiasm reigns at Play Ball event in Seoul
SEOUL -- The 90 Korean Little League players assembled on the front steps of the Gocheok Sky Dome started to walk into the ballpark, but stopped to yell when they realized they were walking past the buses of Team Korea. Then, they got inside, and Tyler Glasnow showed up --