MIAMI – Together, the Miami Marlins and NIKE are committed to grow the game of baseball and softball across the South Florida community, with sports-based programs providing access to play and life-changing social and emotional learning opportunities. With this significant commitment, NIKE joins the Marlins efforts in developing local youth into champions on and off the field! The 2022 programming opened on Thursday, March 24 with Spring Training Field Day for more than 160 youth from Palm Beach County at the Marlins Player Development Complex in Jupiter (see attached photos).

This year, NIKE and the Marlins are joining together on the following Miami Marlins Foundation programs:

• Great Minds-Great Athletes Program for 2022-23 School Year

-- The award-nominated mental wellness program returns for the third year, focused on providing student-athletes and their support group (coaches, staff, and parents) the skills to improve student’s social and emotional needs. The program has grown to 27 schools in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and provides a positive, character-building experience focused on the youth’s social and emotional growth.

• Marlins Rookies

-- Marlins Rookies is a program that introduces the game of baseball and softball to youth ages 6-12 through fundamental lessons, while incorporating social and emotional learning through Jackie Robinson’s nine values.

-- The program will operate out of General Jose Francisco Morazan Quesada Park in Little Havana and Gwen Cherry Park in Liberty City.

• Marlins Jr. RBI

-- The Marlins Jr. RBI program is a free youth outreach initiative for children ages 5-12 creating an opportunity for kids to participate in baseball and encourages academic achievement while teachings the value of teamwork.

- City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation, City of Miami Gardens Parks and Recreation, Centro Mater at Quesada Park (Little Havana), and Gwen Cherry Park (Liberty City) among other will participate in the Marlins Jr. RBI program that teaches athletes the values that will help them develop to be a champion on and off the field through the game. Overall, more than 200 youth athletes participate in Marlins Jr. RBI. Season begins on April 6, with Billy The Marlins making special visits to Gwen Cherry Park on April 6 and at Quesada Park on April 7 to celebrate Opening Day!

• Jackie Robinson High School Baseball Classic (NEW IN 2022)

-- The Jackie Robinson High School Baseball Classic will take place at loanDepot park on April 18, featuring two Miami-Dade County high school teams (Northwestern and North Miami Beach High School) honoring Jackie Robinson’s legacy and capping off the Marlins’ 75th Anniversary celebration of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in MLB.

-- The teams will receive customized ‘#42’ warm up shirts with one of Jackie’s nine values on the back. The game will provide the youth with the one-of-a-kind experience of playing on a Major League field!

• Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholar

-- NIKE will join the Marlins in awarding one $20,000 scholarship as part of the Jackie Robinson Scholarship program. The Miami Marlins committed $420,000 to the Jackie Robinson Foundation in 2020 to establish an annual scholarship in perpetuity to a deserving outstanding African American student from South Florida that demonstrates Jackie Robinson’s nine values.

• Marlins Baseball & Softball Field Day Events

-- This series serves as a positive platform to introduce the game of baseball and softball to youth and get them excited to learn how to play. Each event will incorporate instructional stations that teach kids the fundamentals of fielding, hitting and base running, as well as character development. Events will take place in Miami and Jupiter.

• Marlins RBI All-Stars

-- The RBI Baseball Seniors (18U), Baseball Juniors (15U), and Softball (18U) will be outfitted with Marlins jerseys and receive complimentary room and board, travel, and dinning throughout the MLB RBI Regional Tournament in Tampa.

• Baseball Equipment Packs

-- The Marlins and NIKE will support the local community by providing needed resources to youth to get active. The Miami Marlins Foundation will give select South Florida high school baseball teams an at-home Play Pack to promote fitness, help with practice and improve their baseball and softball skills. Play Pack contents include a baseball, softball, fielding glove, bag, and shirt.

• Coaches and Player Development Series Workshops

-- The Developmental Series is a program for our youth participants and coaches to offer opportunities for development and professional growth off the field. The series consists of various workshops at loanDepot park that highlight important topics from effective coaching methods to health and mental wellness for young athletes. Each event of the series is designed to enhance the experiences of learning the game and provide correlations between sports and life-lessons.

• Youth Gamechanger

-- NIKE will join the Miami Marlins Foundation in spotlighting a Youth Gamechanger during the Marlins annual Impact Week presented by UKG. The local student will get a full VIP experience at a Marlins game with surprises, and a special donation.

For more information on the Miami Marlins Foundation, please visit MarlinsImpact.org.