Timed to the start of the 2016 regular season, MLB Network will debut Play Ball, a new weekly show geared toward kids, on Saturday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Hosted by Harold Reynolds and additional MLB Network analysts, Play Ball will feature one-on-one baseball demonstrations and conversations with some of the top players and personalities in the game, including San Diego Padres outfielder Matt Kemp, Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado and Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor. In line with the PLAY BALL initiative, which was launched by Major League Baseball and USA Baseball in 2015, each week Play Ball will also include tips on how kids can participate in all forms of baseball activities, plus highlights on and off the field from throughout MLB.
"Growing up, I was fortunate to have people around me that made sure I was having fun playing baseball," said Kemp. "The most important thing we can do for our young fans is to remind them that this is a game meant to be played and enjoyed."
"Baseball has done amazing things for me. As a kid, when you don't know people, you get shy and when you play on a team full of kids and guys your age, you get more comfortable, you're communicating, you meet different people and you learn different things. There are so many positives to it," said Arenado.
The premiere episode of Play Ball profiles Kemp, including an interview about growing up playing baseball in Oklahoma, his childhood heroes, and the focus he puts in to his regular workouts, plus a pick-up game of wiffle ball with Kemp and Reynolds against all-time National League saves leader Trevor Hoffman and his sons, previewed here. Following Play Ball episodes will feature Arenado, which can be previewed here, and Lindor, among others.
Episodes will be available across multiple platforms including as a live simulcast on MLB.com and the MLB.com At Bat app, as a podcast at MLBNetwork.com and iTunes, and via participating pay TV providers' video on demand services. Clips from each episode will be available via MLB.com, MLB.com At Bat and PlayBall.org.
Also new for 2016 is MLB Network Breakdown, a 30-minute weekly show featuring the best breakdowns and demos by MLB Network's analysts. Debuting on Saturday, April 9 at 10:30 a.m. ET after Play Ball, MLB Network Breakdown will showcase the expertise of MLB Network's analysts, plus the 9,600-square foot Studio 42 and on-screen virtual enhancements that are integral to MLB Network's comprehensive coverage of the game.
MLB Network's regular season programming returns Opening Week, including the second season of the morning show MLB Central with Matt Vasgersian, Mark DeRosa and Lauren Shehadi, plus High Heat with Christopher Russo, The Rundown with Matt Yallof and Kelly Nash, MLB Now with Brian Kenny, Intentional Talk with Chris Rose and Kevin Millar, and MLB Network's Emmy-winning nightly show, MLB Tonight. MLB Network will feature 40 live game telecasts in April, including at least one live regular season game for 20 straight days and five MLB Network Showcase games.
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MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans, featuring the multiple Emmy Award-winning MLB Tonight, live regular season and Postseason game telecasts, original programming, highlights, and insights and analysis. MLB Network debuted on January 1, 2009 in a record-setting 50 million homes, is currently distributed in approximately 68 million homes throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, and is available for live, authenticated streaming via MLB.com At Bat and MLBNetwork.com. For more information and to find MLB Network in your area, go to www.MLBNetwork.com. Social Media: @MLBNetworkPR, @MLBNetwork, Facebook,Instagram