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Jr. RBI and RBI Leagues

Helping to Revive Baseball in Inner Cities

Noticing the dwindling number of children from inner city areas involved with baseball, the Phillies decided to take action and created the Phillies Jr. RBI League program in 1989. Geared toward children aged 12 and under in areas that had not housed an organized baseball league in almost 20 years, the Jr. RBI Leagues benefited 400 children. Since that time the program has grown to encompass over 5,000 children playing both baseball and softball in more than 60 locations throughout Philadelphia, southern New Jersey and Delaware.

Jr. RBI employs a noncompetitive nature where children learn that winning is not the most important aspect of the game. Instead, they are encouraged to learn the rules, proper techniques and to have fun while being a good teammate and displaying good sportsmanship. The Jr. RBI League is sponsored by Citizens Bank.

The Phillies RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program began in 1993 as a part of Major League Baseball's international RBI campaign, which today encompasses more than 200 cities and as many as 120,000 male and female participants a year.

The RBI Leagues focus on baseball and softball instruction and also have a competitive nature. Participants have the opportunity to capitalize on their learned skills during true game situations. In addition to the traditional RBI Leagues, the program supports three All-star teams - a Junior (13-15 years) and Senior (16-18 years) boys baseball team and a girls softball team (15-18 years). These teams travel and compete in MLB sponsored local and regional RBI competitions for the opportunity to play in the RBI World Series held each year in August. The Phillies RBI League is sponsored by Turkey Hill Dairy and Nike.

Volunteer with the Phillies RBI Leagues and help children play baseball and softball! For more info email youthbaseball@phillies.com.

Jr. RBI WIFFLE Ball Tournament

Citizens Bank hosted 80 players from the Phillies Jr. RBI program on Aug. 24. Players competed in the first WIFFLE Ball Tournament at Citizens Bank Phan Field, located in The Yard at Citizens Bank Park.

Recognition Night

The Phillies appreciate the commitment of each Jr. RBI/RBI League leader and coach. Their dedication helps children from their neighborhoods play baseball and softball. In recognition for their efforts, the Phillies invite league leaders to a Phillies game, an exclusive Rooftop pre-game dinner party and honor our Jr. RBI Coach of the Year and RBI Coach of the Year. In addition, Jr. RBI League sponsor Citizens Bank and 2019 RBI League sponsors Turkey Hill Dairy and Nike are presented with a token of appreciation from members of the Jr. RBI/RBI Leagues during a special on field presentation.

Jr. RBI and RBI Leagues Details

Jr. RBI - To qualify to be a Phillies Jr. RBI League, you must be located in an area that serves children who are unable to afford to play in an organized baseball league without assistance, you must have dedicated personnel to organize and run the league. A league is made up of a minimum of four teams of the same age level. You may have more than one league at your location, for example, 7-8 year old league and a 9-10 year old league for a total of at least eight teams.

RBI - The team must be located in an area that serves children who are unable to afford to play in an organized baseball league without assistance. Must have dedicated personnel to organize and run the league. A league is made up of a minimum of four teams of the same age level. You may have more than one league at your location, for example, 13-14 year old league and a 15-16 year old league for a total of at least eight teams.

  • A Phillies Jr. RBI/RBI League Banner
  • A uniform, T-shirt and hat for each participant
  • Catcher's equipment
  • Bases
  • Batting helmets
  • Bats
  • Baseballs
  • Batting T (T-ball only)

Each year, members of the Phillies Jr. RBI and RBI Leagues are invited to Citizens Bank Park to take part in a clinic through PLAY (Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth), a public awareness campaign developed by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) in 2004 to combat child obesity.

Through a series of fitness programs at all 30 MLB ballparks, PLAY was designed to encourage youth throughout the country to be active, eat right and sustain a healthy lifestyle. Phillies trainers teach participants how to stretch and warm-up their bodies and run them through a number of exercise used by the Phillies players. The participants are also told the importance of exercise and eating properly.

The Phillies host annual coaching clinic for local Jr. RBI/RBI coaches and volunteers and numerous player clinics for the children participating in the Jr. RBI/RBI Leagues. The clinics are run by members of the Phillies Front Office.

During every home game fans can donate new and gently used gloves at the Citizens Bank Kiosk to benefit members of the Phillies Jr. RBI Leagues. Jr. RBI gives children 12 and under from disadvantaged areas the opportunity to play baseball and softball.

Each year the Phillies provide tickets to the children and coaches of the RBI/Jr. RBI Leagues. Many of the children have never been to a professional baseball game and this helps motivate them to continue to play the game they love.

If you are interested in learning more about the Phillies RBI Leagues or to see if your organization qualifies, e-mail youthbaseball@phillies.com or call 215-463-1000.

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