The HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile & powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF) is an annual All-Star experience for baseball student-athletes from Division-I programs at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU). The philanthropic & educational event, which will center around an HBCU “All-Star Game,” will be held during 2024 MLB All-Star Week on Friday, July 12, at Globe Life Field, home of the World Champion Texas Rangers.
The HBCU Swingman Classic will highlight the history and legacy of HBCU baseball programs while also providing 50 HBCU players with the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage. The student-athletes will be selected by a committee that will include YDF Ambassador & Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. alongside representatives from MLB and MLBPA, as well as scouts.
New to the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile & powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, you won't want to miss the Battle of the Bands! Catch the captivating performances of two of the premier HBCU marching bands — Prairie View A&M's ‘Marching Storm' and Texas Southern's 'Ocean of Soul' — as they bring energy and vibrancy of HBCU culture and excellence to Globe Life Field.
ARLINGTON -- On Tuesday, the Texas Rangers held a luncheon to promote the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile and powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF), which will lead off 2024 All-Star Week at Globe Life Field. The inaugural event was held last year, during All-Star Week in...
The Texas Rangers hold a press conference to celebrate the HBCU Swingman Classic and host HBCU Day at Globe Life Field
SEATTLE -- At a team dinner the night before the inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic, Ken Griffey Jr. sat among the 50 players that were selected for the event and fielded questions throughout the meal. One stood out in particular from an eager student-athlete ahead of the event that kicked off...
SEATTLE -- Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. leaned over the purple padded rail near first base at Husky Ballpark, smiled and motioned to a group of young people seated in the stands. Then he waved them over again. It was really happening. The 2023 Chevrolet Discover the Unexpected (DTU)...
SEATTLE -- Ken Griffey Jr. was a decade into his Hall of Fame career when Ian Matos was born, and The Kid retired when Matos was still actually a kid. Thanks to technology and an internet teeming with highlight videos though, the 23-year-old was still able to model his center-field...
PHOENIX -- Hylan Hall was on the path to being drafted out of high school, but an injury during his senior year delayed that dream. Little did the outfielder know there would be plenty of opportunities ahead of him, including receiving advice from a Hall of Famer. A friend of...
Major League Baseball (MLB), the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. jointly announced Tuesday the launch of the "HBCU Swingman Classic,” an annual All-Star experience for baseball student-athletes from Division-I programs at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU). The philanthropic & educational event,...
Ken Griffey Jr. says the reason he spearheaded the inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic is simple. “My dad gave back to baseball,” Griffey told MLB Network's Harold Reynolds on Friday. “It’s now my turn.” Griffey, a 13-time All-Star and Baseball Hall of Famer, now serves as a Youth Development Foundation Ambassador...
VERO BEACH, Fla. -- Every ballplayer understands that once is never enough. You can’t just hit one home run, strike out one batter or steal a base one time to convince a scout of your abilities. It’s about repetition, showing that you possess an aptitude for consistency. But for that,...
HBCU photographers develop their craft in a Mentee Program with MLB and Getty at the 2023 HBCU Swingman Classic
Watch HBCU standouts Trey Paige and Daalen Adderley hop on the mic during the inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic at T-Mobile Park
Jerry Manuel, Cito Gaston and Roger Cador speak at the 2023 Swingman HBCU luncheon
Take a look at all the action from the HBCU Swingman Classic in Seattle
Kewan Braziel joins Ken Griffey Jr. on MLB Network to talk about receiving the T-Mobile Impact Award, what the honor means to him and more
The T-Mobile Impact Award is given out during the HBCU Swingman Classic in Seattle for All-Star Week
Hall of Famer Andre Dawson joins High Heat to discuss returning to Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame ceremony and Fred McGriff getting a bid
Harold Reynolds talks with Xavier Meacham and Kyle Walker about how it feels playing in the HBCU Swingman Classic, presented by T-Mobile
Join Harold Reynolds, Ken Griffey Jr., Reggie Waller and more, as we reveal the rosters for the HBCU Swingman Classic
Ken Griffey Jr. gets you ready for the HBCU Swingman Classic that is set to be held at T-Mobile Park on All-Star Weekend
July 12, 2024
Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas
