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 --
Luzardo encourages others to 'Go Coach!' with Special Olympics
The trade that sent Jesús Luzardo from the Oakland Athletics to the Miami Marlins ahead of the 2021 Trade Deadline not only gave the left-hander a chance to pitch for his childhood team, it has also allowed him to use his platform to give back to the community where he
Baseball participation nationwide highest since 2008
The Wall Street Journal explained “Why Children Are Abandoning Baseball.” The Washington Post lamented a sport “Behind the Curve.” The Los Angeles Times asked if the national pastime was “Past Its Time?” These headlines from 2015 were all rooted in participation data that did not bode well for baseball. Though
Baseball participation in U.S. at highest recorded level since '08
According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s (SFIA) Topline Participation Report for 2023, Baseball participation is at nearly 16.7 million in the United States, the highest officially recorded level since SFIA’s survey of more than 120 sports began in 2008. Casual participation in baseball, which is comprised of casual
Radcliffe Bros. pull 'Double Duty' playing college ball, carrying on family legacy
VERO BEACH, Fla. -- If you stick around long enough, it begins to feel like the universe is playing tricks on you -- especially as a baseball fan. History tends to repeat itself between the lines, giving you random bouts of déjà vu, ensuring that the beautiful legacies of the
Andre Dawson Classic reunites Swingman Classic participants
VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Every ballplayer understands that once is never enough. You can’t just hit one home run, strike out one batter or steal a base one time to convince a scout of your abilities. It’s about repetition, showing that you possess an aptitude for consistency. But for that,
How Diaz is promoting 'progress of baseball' in home country
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Luzardo, Welker give back to hometown youth with baseball clinic
MIAMI -- It’s a special moment, being able to give back to the community that raised you. It’s arguably even more special once you’ve succeeded at the highest level of your industry. For Jesús Luzardo and Colton Welker, Saturday was just that. For the fourth year in a row, the
Always eager to give back, Carroll thrills kids with skills clinic
GILBERT, Ariz. -- When the D-backs signed Corbin Carroll to an eight-year extension in March 2023, it provided a glimpse of hope for a new era of Arizona baseball. Carroll's impact on the field was immediate, earning the 2023 Rookie of the Year Award and propelling the D-backs to embark
MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation tops $31 million in total grant funding
NEW YORK – Today, the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF) announced its full roster of 2023 grant recipients, benefitting 36 communities, in 24 states with over $3.6 million in funding. Recipients ranged from the NYC Police Foundation to the Parkwood Community Club in Nashville and Snug Harbor Little League, all
Big names play golf to benefit Compton Youth Academy
NEWPORT COAST, Calif. -- On a picturesque day in sunny Southern California, several current and former MLB players teed it up at Pelican Hill Golf Club for the annual Celebrity Golf Invitational to benefit the MLB Youth Academy in Compton. Former Major League outfielders Gary Matthews Jr. and Torii Hunter,
Breakthrough Series focuses on future of women in baseball
VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Coming off its second-ever World Series appearance, the D-backs organization is still making contributions on the diamond almost two weeks after Major League Baseball's season concluded. Hillsboro Hops manager Ronnie Gajownik -- a history-making skipper with the D-backs' affiliate in the High-A Northwest League -- is
MLB celebrates youth baseball, softball at World Series
ARLINGTON -- Miranda Castaneda grew up a dedicated fan of Corey Seager, and as one of dozens of youth across the country who have participated in Major League Baseball-led programs and were invited to Globe Life Field, she saw her favorite player at Game 2 of the World Series on
International players chase big league dreams at MLB College Showcase
The 2023 MLB World Select team arrived at Surprise Stadium, the Spring Training home of the Royals and Rangers, last Tuesday for the first day of the MLB College Showcase. Before enhancing their baseball skills at the scheduled practice day, the 31 international high school players marveled at the amenities
Royals employees advise youngsters on finding work in baseball
KANSAS CITY -- Jonathan Rosa, the Royals’ manager of charities and community impact, knew he would have to make a strong impression when he was applying to jobs in the competitive professional sports world. Rosa's story provided one of the best examples of perseverance for around 100 teens in attendance
MLB awards 12 Nike RBI athletes with college scholarships
Major League Baseball has awarded partial college scholarships to 12 incoming college freshmen who are alumni of the Nike Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (Nike RBI) program -- the baseball and softball initiative operated and funded by MLB to serve youth from underserved communities -- which will total $240,000 to
Clemente's spirit alive in Puerto Rico's youth baseball programs
Few people gave more to the game of baseball and Puerto Rico than Roberto Clemente. In 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Hall of Famer had 3,000 hits, won four batting titles, 12 Gold Gloves and an MVP (1966). He also won two World Series (1960 and '71) with
California wins Little League World Series on walk-off HR
Louis Lappe hit more home runs than any player at the 2023 Little League Baseball World Series. His fifth and final dinger came on the final swing of the tournament Sunday and put California on top of the Little League world once again. The 6-foot-1 third baseman crushed a walk-off
Scouts eye young talent in first-of-its-kind showcase
For high school athletes, the path to the MLB Draft runs through showcases. These events, populated with scouts, talent evaluators and college coaches, bring together the top high school talent in the country to show off their skills. While they are a proven way for players to develop and gain
J-Ram proud of youth field that bears his name
CLEVELAND -- A piece of paper sat on the seat at José Ramírez’s locker last week. He walked into the clubhouse and glanced down at the colorful printout. For a second, his eyes squinted, curious what was in front of him. Quickly, he burst out into an enormous grin and
Little League Classic a childhood dream come true for Lorenzen
WASHINGTON -- Michael Lorenzen only has good memories of Little League from growing up in Southern California, and not only from his playing days. As the youngest of four baseball-playing brothers whose ages spanned 10 years, Lorenzen was at East Anaheim Little League a lot. Decades later, the 31-year-old Phillies
Reds RBI baseball, softball reach new heights in 2023
For the second time in just three years, the Reds RBI program sent two teams to the Nike RBI World Series. The Reds Nike RBI senior baseball team and Reds Nike RBI softball team both punched their tickets by winning their Central Regional Tournament in Chicago, sweeping the competition, 5-0.
Dominic Smith can't wait to meet Little Leaguers
WASHINGTON – At 28 years old, Dominic Smith's Little League days are not far from his memory. The Nationals first baseman considers those years instrumental in his journey to the Major Leagues, and he is looking forward to sharing those experiences as the Nats' ambassador at the 2023 Little League
Jennie Finch Empowerment Award goes to pitcher Kristin White
Kristin White became the most recent recipient of the 2023 Jennie Finch Empowerment Award, presented by Arm & Hammer, after competing for the DC Elite Nike RBI team at the Nike Softball RBI World Series in Vero Beach, Fla. White was cheered on by her teammates and other RBI participants
Shades of '22 Phillies in Pennsylvania's LLWS team
This story was excerpted from Todd Zolecki’s Phillies Beat newsletter. This edition of the newsletter was written by Paul Casella. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.