The Reds and Reds Community Fund invited hundreds of young fans for an official Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run competition at the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy to celebrate MLB PLAY BALL Weekend on June 7.
The competition offered children, aged 7 to 14, the opportunity to participate in hitting, pitching and running stations to showcase their baseball and softball skills.
After scores from each station are tallied, the leader from each baseball and softball age group will advance to the regional competition that will take place at Great American Ball Park in August. Those who excel at Great American Ball Park will earn an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the 2026 World Series, to compete against other youth during the final competition.
“MLB’s PLAY BALL Weekend has always been a priority to the Reds and the Reds Community Fund,” explained Reds Community Fund executive director, Charley Frank. “It speaks to our mission of growing the game and exposing it to new audiences, while also showcasing our Reds Youth Academy.”
Along with areas dedicated to display their baseball and softball talents, children also enjoyed appearances from the Reds mascots as well as a DJ, circus performers, face painters, LaRosa’s Pizza, Queen of the Crop Food Truck and a Kona Ice truck. Each participant also received a Frankin bat and ball set and a Reds hat.
“Hosting the ‘Pitch, Hit & Run’ qualifying event is an ideal way to interact with hundreds of kids and family members who may have never experienced our facility. It was also exciting to see many of our Reds Nike RBI standouts perform so well,” said Frank.
MLB’s PLAY BALL initiative was launched in 2015 with the goal of encouraging young fans and communities to participate in local baseball or softball programs.
In 2026, the PLAY BALL weekend reached over six continents with all 30 MLB clubs, 120 MiLB clubs and partner league clubs in participation.
For more information about baseball and softball development programs visit www.reds.com/academy.