SEATTLE, Wash. – Today, the Seattle Mariners and the Seattle Sports Commission announced the launch of Mariners Community All-Stars in partnership with two of the region’s largest tech employers, Microsoft and Amazon. This new program aims to bring baseball and softball back to schools and communities where there has been displacement or disconnection from the game. As part of the Community All-Stars initiative, the Mariners and the Seattle Sports Commission are working alongside RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) programs in the Pacific Northwest, community sports organizations, and Mariners Training Centers to accelerate the club’s mission to expand equitable access and participation in youth baseball and softball.

“It’s a monumental year for baseball and softball in Seattle. We intend to fully leverage the unique opportunity that is All-Star Week to change the trajectory of access to this sport in our community,” said Beth Knox, Seattle Sports Commission President and CEO.  “A wonderful outcome of this commitment is the upcoming MLB RBI West Regional, a youth baseball and softball tournament our region will host from July 14 to 16.”

Throughout this year, hundreds of volunteers from Microsoft and Amazon will also be working to beautify school playgrounds at Lowell and Leschi Elementary in Seattle, Lummi Nation School in Bellingham, Manitou Park in Tacoma, and more to be identified in the coming months, with support from the non-profit Playworks PACNW. Volunteers will also support Little League field cleanup projects with Federal Way, Kent, Soundview, and Seattle Central Little Leagues.

“Sports unite and inspire communities around the world, and what better way to bring our region together than the Mariners Community All-Stars program  – a program that ensures today’s youth and coaches have fields to learn, compete, and dream.” said Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft and MLB All-Star Host Committee member. “I can’t wait to celebrate the city of Seattle, the best of baseball, and all of the stars on and off the field who make it shine.”

“We’ve seen the power of youth sports build character, teach leadership, encourage teamwork, foster healthy competition, and instill confidence – all building blocks for the future,” said Adam Selipsky, CEO of Amazon Web Services and MLB All-Star Host Committee member. “And that is why Amazon is proud to team up with the Mariners and the Seattle Sports Commission in sponsoring Community All-Stars, a new program designed to create opportunities for more kids to take part in team sports and create a long-term positive impact on our communities.”

Additionally, beginning earlier this spring through the summer, Mariners fans in each of the club’s five-state region (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington) will have the chance to have free, family-friendly opportunities to try baseball and softball. During Play Ball Weekend (June 9-11), the Mariners will partner with the Everett AquaSox, Boise Hawks and Missoula Paddleheads to host two-hour camps, and will host the only softball-specific Play Ball event across all MLB teams on June 10 in Portland with Friends of Baseball’s Girls Lead RBI program. The event will feature Softball University instructors from Mariners Training Centers, Mariners Kids Club activation and visits from Mariner Moose and children’s literacy advocate and entertainer, Nikki Brown Clown.

Each child who attends a Play Ball Event will go home with a Community All-Star branded ballplayer kit with a Mariners branded bat and ball set. There will also be 20 smaller Play Ball pop-up clinics in Washington and Oregon, which will be held at events providing community services to youth such as free lunch and play offerings through parks districts.

For more information about Play Ball Weekend throughout the Pacific NW this summer visit,  Mariners.com/PlayBall. For more information about the Mariners Community All-Star program, visit Mariners.com/CommunityAllStars.