Play Ball! MLB Youth Programs & Initiatives
ABOUT Play Ball is a collaborative initiative between Major League Baseball, USA Baseball and USA Softball. Delivered as a comprehensive website, Play Ball hosts educational resources for coaches, umpires, parents, and players. Other resources offered include health and safety articles, support programs, play ball near you interactive map and championship principles. Additional resources will be continuously added.
FEATURES The Play Ball near you searchable database that allows users to find leagues in their area The Play Ball Mobile Coach application as an on-the-go practice planning tool for coaches at any level A variety of health and safety resources that offer advice on best practices for baseball related health and safety concerns
LOCAL COMPETITION FREE event Baseball & Softball Divisions Boys and Girls ages 7-14 Host early 2018 through May Few-hour event is easy to administer Tryouts/Evaluations In conjunction with another event Partner with an area youth organization Multiple events at multiple locations
PARKS & RECREATION MLB PHR competition is very easy to run. It doesn t take a lot of staff to run the event and it is easy to pull from local youth baseball/softball teams to solicit volunteers. My department loves this event and it is a great fit for the community! - Jefferson City Parks & Recreation, MO Pitch, Hit, & Run is one of the easiest and fun events Hayden runs. The City of Hayden and Hayden Little League are great partners, which is why they competition has become so popular. Every year, more than 150 kids look forward to participating, and we ve had amazing success with our youth advancing to the Team Championship and even National Finals. - City of Hayden, ID PHR is a great, FREE event that I've conducted for over 15 years and look forward to each year. PHR is just about as perfect a fit for recreation programs as you can get!. - City of Carson, CA What other event can you host where you have the possibility of sending a child from your community to the All-Star game. Great event, kids look forward to it every year. - City of Evans, CO
ADMINISTRATIVE KIT Includes: Handbook Registration Forms Award Certificates Strike Zone Banner Promotional Posters Participation Cards
SECTIONAL COMPETITION Local winners move on to their nearest Sectional Competition with the chance to advance to a MLB ballpark to compete at the Team Championship
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP Top Sectional performers are eligible to advance to the Team Championship at the nearest MLB Ballpark Participants compete on-field prior to attending a MLB game Champions are recognized in a pre-game ceremony
NATIONAL FINALS Top contestants nationwide will compete at the PHR National Finals during MLB All-Star Week
National Finalists from NRPA Candice Puig City of Whittier CA Jessica Tudor Town of Highland Falls NY Zoe Montag Algona Recreation IA Abbey Smith City of Deer Park TX Brianna Mendez City of Marina CA Joseph Henegar City of Dearborn Heights MI
GET INVOLVED Sign-up and receive Administrative Kit Promote event and secure handful of volunteers Host Local Competition Award winners and submit results
LOCAL COMPETITION FREE event 14u & 12u Divisions Host early 2018 through May Flexibility to Host Individual teams at practice In conjunction with another event Choose format that best fits your kids
TESTIMONIALS The kids had an absolute blast really cool event for the kids!! Parents were blown away!! Feedback from all the parents and participants was fantastic and they already making sure we invite them out for the next one! - Trent Oeltjen (host) San Ramon, CA We had a great experience hosting the Jr Home Run Derby!! The boys that moved on to the regional have a memory that will last a lifetime. Our kids had a blast and are anxiously looking forward to participating next year. We will most definitely host another one. - Joe Contois (host) Latham, NY Thank you for choosing us to hold a local MLB Jr. Home Run Derby event. Our league loved hosting the event and we hope we are chosen again next year to host. The participants seemed to really enjoy it and they said they look forward to participating again next year. - Marty McKeever (host) Yorba Linda, CA 17
ADMINISTRATIVE KIT Includes: Handbook Registration Forms Participation Certificates Award Certificates Promotional Posters
REGIONAL COMPETITION Local winners move on to their nearest Regional Competition where they are one step closer to the National Finals
NATIONAL FINALS Regional Champions advance directly to the JrHRD National Finals during MLB All-Star Week
National Finalists from NRPA RJ Ruais City of Celina TX Nazier Mule Passaic Recreation NJ KJ Scobey Hillsborough County FL
GET INVOLVED Sign-up and receive Administrative Kit Promote event and determine Derby Format Host Local Competition Award winners and submit results
GET IN TOUCH PlayBall.org PitchHitRun.com PitchHitRun@mlb.com JrHRD.com JrHRD@mlb.com