Redbird Rookies

“Redbird Rookies is more than just baseball!”

Cardinals Care started Redbird Rookies in 2004, which annually serves around 2,500 participants. It is a free, noncompetitive, coed baseball/softball program for youth ages 5-13. Redbird Rookies works to instill the values of teamwork, integrity, self-esteem and leadership in the "classroom" of a baseball setting. Cardinals Care also provides leadership in building partnerships between Redbird Rookies and non-profit organizations that support kids in the areas of health, education, mentoring, cultural arts and scholarship.

To have your organization considered as a host for a Redbird Rookies league please email us at [email protected].

ON THE DIAMOND

Redbird Rookies provides children with uniforms and all necessary equipment to play baseball and softball. Redbird Rookies coaches and league organizers take part in training sessions that teach innovative coaching and character-building techniques that are essential to each participant's growth. Parents are also involved in learning as they participate in courses that share how to encourage and support their children through positive reinforcement.

Danny Cox teaches kids how to swing a baseball bat

Alumni Clinics

During the summer, Redbird Rookies holds clinics with former Cardinals players to teach Redbird Rookies the fundamentals of baseball and softball. At the end of each clinic the kids go home with an autograph baseball card from each of the alumni.

Adam Wainwright poses with a group of Redbird Rookie kids at the dedication of Adam Wainwright Field

Youth Ball Fields

As part of our commitment to help and support children in our community, Cardinals Care has built or renovated 24 youth baseball fields throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. Most recently, the Cardinals dedicated Matt Carpenter Field at the Pagedale Family Resource Center in August, 2019.

For more information about youth ball fields visit cardinals.com/youthfields.

OFF THE DIAMOND

Group of Redbird Rookies kids posing with their Gold Glove Award cards

Redbird Rookies support extends off-field with activities developed to support children in the areas of health, education, cultural arts, mentorship and scholarship. Health and reading initiatives are supported by the Centene Charitable Foundation.

A young boy wearing head phones participates in a hearing test

Health

Along with encouraging our athletes to stay active, both on and off the field, each summer we host a Health Fair. During the event, our partners provide important nutritional information to families, free health screenings, and activities that are both fun and educational.

We also partner with Schnucks to encourage an active lifestyle and healthy eating habits throughout the summer, which Redbird Rookies track on their Healthy Eater Form to win rewards!

Redbird Rookies teams up with Girls in the Know, who believes every girl needs and deserves to have a strong foundation and sense of self heading into their challenging teen years. We host an event that creates a fun, safe space for pre-teen girls (ages 9-13) to discuss life’s most important topics led by licensed female professionals.

A Redbird Rookies participant poses with his backpack and Redbird Rookies t-shirt at Busch Stadium

Education

Each summer, Redbird Rookies athletes participate in their local library branches' Reading Program. After completing the program, they can redeem their completion certificate for a special prize at the end of the season.

Every Redbird Rookies participant has the opportunity to learn and explore the histories of those who call the metropolitan St. Louis region home as well as partake in STEM lessons that teach real life skills through our partnerships with the Missouri History Museum, The Magic House and the St. Louis Science Center.

A young girl and her mother pose in front of a museum while wearing Redbird Rookies t-shirts

Cultural Arts

Redbird Rookies has partnerships with The Sheldon, The Stifel Theater and The Muny where participants and their families are able to experience live music and other unique performances at these historic St. Louis venues.

A woman poses with a young man while wearing Redbird Rookies shirts and Cardinals hats

Mentorship

Redbird Rookies is proud to partner with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri to help find matches for our participants. BBBS pairs children, ages 5-17, with a caring adult volunteer. This volunteer is there to listen, laugh and learn alongside the child in a 1:1 mentoring relationship.

Scholarship

The Redbird Rookies Saigh Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship that supports the postsecondary education of up to ten students who participated in, or registered for, the Redbird Rookies youth baseball/softball league after completing 7th grade. The purpose of the Redbird Rookies Saigh Scholarship is to recognize the achievements of individuals who have demonstrated success in the classroom and as a team member by providing financial assistance toward the student's continuing education. Each award recipient will demonstrate outstanding integrity, confidence, leadership and teamwork as a Redbird Rookies team member as well as the strength of character, attitude, and promise that define a successful graduate of Redbird Rookies.