MLB proudly unveils All-Star Digital Arts Suite

CLEVELAND -- In its effort to grow the game, Major League Baseball has created myriad projects and events designed to encourage kids to play baseball and softball, with hopes they'll develop a long-term love for the game that will carry them into adulthood.

But that's not the only way MLB is reaching out to young people. The educational aspect is also a priority, with a special emphasis on preparing kids for a future that, for most, won't include careers as professional athletes.

The fourth and final All-Star Legacy Project, unveiled Tuesday morning at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland at East Technical High School, is a nod toward that educational angle. The All-Star Digital Arts Suite, a brand new fully transformed performing arts room, is now open and available to kids of all ages who want to tap into their artistic and creative skills.

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"When we do field turf, baseball fields, that's for pure enjoyment, and we're hoping kids, through the game of baseball, learn life lessons and life skills like teamwork, discipline and the good parts of competition," Indians senior vice president of public affairs Bob DiBiasio said. "Not many of them may go on to be big league ballplayers, so this truly has an impact on the young people that can find their way through the arts, through music, through this type of state-of-the-art equipment to find their way in life."

The project included the purchase and installation of sound-recording studio equipment, Mac desktop computers for graphic design, 3-D printing and video editing, point-and-shoot digital cameras and large-format printers.

The stage was also completely renovated, and an area for group-think and activity was established.

"This is about the future, and the future of this country -- and kids are the future," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "This will prepare kids for what's next, whether it's college, career or being job-ready."

The Digital Arts Suite dedication is one of several examples of the strength of the partnership between MLB and the Boys & Girls Clubs. That relationship was also celebrated during the pregame ceremony prior to the All-Star Game on Tuesday, when Malachi Haynes, a 19-year-old student at Colorado State University, was recognized as the organization’s Youth of the Year. Haynes is a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.

The presence of Boys & Girls Clubs at MLB’s jewel events is a positive reminder of one of MLB’s longest-standing relationships; the Legacy Project initiative, which began in 1997 (the last time the Indians hosted the All-Star Game), is another.

The Digital Arts Suite, which will be utilized by students at East Technical High School and members of local Boys & Girls Clubs, is intended to be instrumental in helping retention rates of both institutions.

"These environments are all designed to keep kids safe," Clark said. "That's the bedrock of what we stand for -- safety of kids in this country. It's a special, special day. It's the most important thing, in my mind, happening next to the [All-Star] Game tonight."

Commissioner Rob Manfred commended the effort and praised MLB's partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs for the ongoing effort to leave lasting legacies in cities across the country.

"We like to leave something behind that's meaningful for the community, so it's just not that we're here and gone," Manfred said, referring to the week-long All-Star Legacy Project initiative. "The Digital Arts Suite here is one of those projects. It has become a tradition under the Legacy Program that one of the major projects in each city is done with our great partners at the Boys & Girls clubs.

"We're pleased to have an opportunity to fund this project at East Tech High School and we hope for many years to come, boys and girls from Cleveland enjoy it."