America’s Pastime meets America’s Hometown at Play Ball event

PLYMOUTH, Mass. -- There’s nothing quite like the energy level of several hundred youngsters on a ball field on a beautiful Saturday morning.

“That’s for sure,” said Michael Conway, president of Plymouth Youth Baseball & Softball, as he watched his young charges take over the varsity baseball field at Plymouth North High School on a day on which Mother Nature -- finally -- graced the region with spectacular weather.

But, this wasn’t his league’s typical Saturday morning slate of games he was overseeing. In fact, Conway had to reschedule his league’s morning games to the afternoon.

About 200 players ages 5-12 were being put through their paces as part of Major League Baseball’s A250 Play Ball series, celebrating America’s 250th birthday -- in the town where it all started.

“With the celebration of America 250 and given where we're at, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, we want to ensure that the kids here who've come out today are able to learn both about the game of baseball but also about the history of our nation,” said Marcus Murray, MLB’s senior coordinator of RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities).

The players -- boys and girls, softball and baseball players -- were led by local youth coaches as well as players from the high school’s baseball team through five stations -- batting, running and agility, fielding, throwing and catching, and game activity.

“Initially, this Play Ball event is really structured to introduce the skills and drills of the sport,” Murray said, “allowing them to get familiar and comfortable with swinging a bat, throwing a ball -- things of that nature. That way, they can take these skills, and really, A, become fans of the game, but, B, also incorporate this into their local programming and being able to excel outside of this event.”

The day -- the first in a series that will be held throughout the country -- included educational components, as well. After the on-field portion concluded, lunch was served at Nathaniel Morton Elementary School before a short walk to the Mayflower II -- a full-scale replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth in 1620 -- and Plymouth Rock.

“There’s a thread that runs through our country’s history and the game of baseball,” said Bennett Shields, MLB’s senior manager of baseball & softball development. “We really want kids to have fun. But, if they can just come out and have fun and maybe learn a few other things, too, that’s perfect.”

During lunch, re-enactors from the nearby Plymouth Patuxet -- a living museum that shares the stories of the Wampanoag and English people who met along the local shores -- visited to tell the youngsters what life was like more than 400 years ago after arriving on the original Mayflower.

Serving as the master of ceremonies, James Lowe -- better known as “Coach Ballgame” -- tried to instill life lessons, as well.

“We wanted to prioritize two things: human connection and movement," he said. "As long as these kids knew that all the coaches cared about them as humans, then they were going to love baseball more if they moved. I think kids quit the game when they're not moving, when they're bored. So, we wanted to prioritize movement.

“Then I told some stories on how to build character, life lessons. Kids really respond to storytelling.”

Lowe focused on two former Major League players: pitcher Jim Abbott, who was born without a right hand, and Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente.

“I told the Jim Abbott story, how to overcome adversity,” Lowe said, “and the Roberto Clemente story on how to be kind, how to leave a legacy through kindness.”

In sharing Clemente’s legacy, Lowe told the kids about the award named in the Hall of Famer’s memory, annually recognizing a player for his outstanding character, philanthropy and community involvement.

“The way you treat other people is more important than hitting a home run or winning a game,” Lowe said. “[But] I didn’t say that, [Yankees outfielder and 2023 Roberto Clemente Award winner] Aaron Judge did.”

He then asked the youngsters to share that story with a friend.

“If you're instilling that character development is greater than winning, joy is more important than skill development, then they're going to feed off that,” Lowe said. “If adults are showing them to win at all costs, they’re going to feed off that.

“I think my favorite part of today was watching the kids' faces during the games after they hit the ball. If you watch a kid's face light up when they're running to first base after they hit the ball, it has to bring you joy."

Which is exactly the point.

“It was really fun,” said 11-year-old shortstop/pitcher Ryan Conway, who plays on two teams during the season.

Eight-year-old Lillian Higgins is a softball pitcher and right fielder. She backs Conway up on his point. The best part of the day for her?

“Just having fun,” she said.

Her brother, Aiden Higgins, 11, is teammates with Conway. He had a message for his friends who couldn’t make it to the event.

“You should come out if it’s around Massachusetts again,” he said.

Other stops in the Play Ball series include Fairbanks, Alaska; Rapid City, South Dakota; Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York; and Philadelphia. All the clinics are free and open to the public.