Major League Baseball Opening Day is a little more than two months away, but the Miami Marlins are taking over Opening Days at select South Florida youth leagues.
The following Marlins players and alumni will be taking part in Opening Day ceremonies and ceremonial first pitches:
• Miguel Rojas at North Miami Beach Little League on Sunday, January 27
• Pablo López and Magneuris Sierra at Howard Palmetto Baseball and Softball Association on Saturday, February 2
• Lewis Brinson at South Miami Youth Baseball League on Saturday, February 2
• Gaby Sanchez at Danny Berry's Baseball Kendall Little League on Saturday, February 2
• Peter O'Brien at Optimist Club of Miami Lakes on Saturday, February 16
"We are looking forward to the start of the youth baseball season and the opportunity to continue our unwavering commitment to the greater-Miami community," said Marlins President of Business Operations Chip Bowers. "As we re-engage with the numerous leagues across South Florida, we want all our future Marlins to know they have our support as they play the game we all love. We are looking forward to working closely with local leagues to celebrate a tremendous Opening Day of youth baseball."
In conjunction with the takeover of Opening Day, the Marlins today announced more than 100 teams across 16 youth baseball and softball leagues have joined the inaugural season of the Miami Marlins Tee Ball Initiative presented by Ultimate Software.
"At Ultimate, we believe successful companies are like successful sports teams. It's about creating a supportive playing field, building an all-star team, staying relentless through challenges, and winning championships-together," said Scott Scherr, CEO, president, and founder of Ultimate Software, which provides cloud-based HR technology to thousands of customers worldwide and is headquartered in Weston, Florida. "The best teams use their talents and strengths on and off the field. We're proud to partner with the Marlins and local youth leagues to help make a difference in our community and develop future all-stars." 
"It's an exciting time here in South Florida, with baseball season about to begin," said Marlins Senior Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations Elisa Padilla. "With a focus on growing the game of baseball and softball in South Florida, our goal is to have every youngster playing tee ball wearing our colores and playing for their hometown team."
The Marlins' new initiative aims to alleviate some of the costs by donating uniforms, hats, and equipment to recreational tee ball programs in Miami-Dade County. These savings lower registration costs, increasing the potential number of children playing. Leagues will be presented with a Marlins banner, and teams will be provided Marlins-branded batting tees and baseballs.
Each registered player will receive a Miami Marlins hat, jersey, drawstring bag, complimentary Billy's Bunch Membership, a complimentary ticket voucher to a 2019 Marlins home game, and a Miami Marlins Youth Baseball and Softball Toolkit. The toolkit will be a great resource for players, coaches and parents, and features a welcome letter from Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson.
Teams will then be invited to Marlins Park on Sunday, April 7 for the inaugural Miami Marlins Tee Ball Initiative Invitational presented by Ultimate Software, which will provide teams the opportunity to play ball on the field at the ballpark.
For more information on the Miami Marlins Tee Ball Initiative presented by Ultimate Software, please visit Marlins.com/PlayBall.