PLAY BALL Weekend is upon us, and Minor League clubs have built an exciting calendar of events, both in-ballpark and in the local community, to celebrate MLB’s youth engagement initiative.
For more information on PLAY BALL Weekend or to find a local MiLB or MLB PLAY BALL initiative near you, visit mlb.com/play-ball/weekend. Here are some club initiatives to keep an eye out for this weekend:
Worcester Red Sox
Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox
Date: June 5
The WooSox will work with the Tyler's Teammates program, which was established in memory of Tyler Trudell, a local Little Leaguer who passed away unexpectedly in 2021, to host a lunch and assembly for around 200 students at Vernon Hill Elementary School. The club plans to host a baseball and softball equipment raffle and a clinic led by WooSox mascots and staffers before distributing PLAY BALL Weekend Wiffle ball sets.
Norfolk Tides
Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles
Date: June 5
The Tides will host mini Wiffle ball games for fourth and fifth graders at Holland Elementary, a Title 1 School in Virginia Beach, Va. Each student will have an opportunity to hit and play the field while receiving guidance from club volunteers. After the games, students can take pictures with the Tides' mascots, and staffers will hand out ice cream and PLAY BALL Weekend Wiffle ball sets.
Hillsboro Hops
High-A affiliate of the Arizona D-backs
Date: June 5
The club is expecting around 300 participants between 5 and 10 years old to take part in interactive baseball activities and skill stations on the field at the brand-new Hops Ballpark. Hillsboro's front office staff, community volunteers and local high school and college baseball and softball players will run skill stations designed to introduce and inspire the next generation of players.
Somerset Patriots
Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees
Date: June 5
The Patriots will host a free Pitch, Hit & Run contest at TD Bank Ballpark for around 200 kids between 7 and 14 years old. This is an official local event within Major League Baseball's Pitch, Hit & Run program that allows top-scoring participants to qualify for larger events and eventually an all-expenses-paid trip for two to compete at the Finals, which is hosted during the World Series. For more information on Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run, and to find an event near you, visit mlb.com/pitch-hit-and-run.
Salt Lake Bees
Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels
Dates: June 5-6
The Bees are expecting to host nearly 1,000 participants for baseball and softball clinics at The Ballpark at America First Square. Bees' players and staff and local high school and college athletes will run throwing, running and hitting drills, a home run derby and a wiffle ball game. All participants will receive a complimentary PLAY BALL T-shirt and tour of the club's facilities.
Toledo Mud Hens
Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers
Date: June 6
The Mud Hens plan to host around 450 kids at the Toledo PAL Field for a Wiffle ball game and youth baseball and softball clinic designed to help develop throwing, fielding, batting and running skills while teaching the FUNdamentals of the game. The clinic aims to emphasize the importance of healthy, active play while participants learn teamwork, communication, confidence and sportsmanship in an engaging, high-energy environment.
St. Lucie Mets
Single-A affiliate of the New York Mets
Date: June 6
St. Lucie will partner with the Special Olympics to host a clinic and lunch at Clover Park for around 40 local athletes with disabilities. The athletes will participate in hitting, throwing, fielding and running stations with St. Lucie players serving as coaches. Participants will also receive tickets to Saturday's game against Clearwater.
Oklahoma City Comets
Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Date: June 6
The Comets are partnering with USA Softball and Niagara Cares for a youth clinic for more than 200 participants at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Attendees will receive a complimentary PLAY BALL T-shirt and PLAY BALL Weekend Wiffle ball set before taking the field to learn the basics of hitting, fielding, pitching, baserunning, agility and stretching while being treated to special guest appearances. Following the clinic, there will be a block party with inflatable games and activities for participants and their families.