The Detroit Tigers Foundation and Nike are honored to provide renewed support for the Tigers Nike RBI program. Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) is a MLB-supported program that provides youth aged 13-18 with the opportunity to play competitive baseball or softball across the country while representing their city and home team.
The Play Ball Detroit program inspires thousands of children in neighborhoods across the city of Detroit to dream big through the power of Tigers baseball each year. Through a thoughtful mix of free to low-cost programming as well as hyper-local solutions, Play Ball Detroit is providing necessary resources to grow the game throughout the city.
Proper equipment is critical to playing baseball and softball. Gloves For Kids is an important component in growing the game throughout the Detroit Tigers market by providing youth with the proper equipment to not only learn the game but also develop their skills.
On August 12, 50 young athletes from across metro Detroit came together at Easterseals Miracle League Field in Southfield for a day of baseball, learning and fun. Ahead of the Tigers’ game against the Cleveland Guardians, the Detroit Tigers Foundation partnered with Easterseals MORC – Miracle League of Michigan and Fantasy Camp for Kids Foundation to host Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids. Tigers players and families including Spencer and Makenna Torkelson, along with Tyler and Storme Holton, joined the athletes throughout the day, helping create a memorable experience for children with physical or cognitive disabilities.
The campers came from Miracle League programs in Flint, Southfield, Plymouth, Lake Orion and across Mid-Michigan. Through Miracle League of Michigan, children across the state have the opportunity to play baseball alongside volunteer assistants in an environment designed to make the game accessible and welcoming to everyone.
Each participant received a Detroit Tigers hat and jersey before taking part in skills and activities around the field. Ilitch Sports + Entertainment colleagues, Wayne State University baseball and softball players and volunteers from the Tigers Nike RBI baseball team helped lead stations, teach baseball fundamentals and cheer on the athletes as they took the field.
