Thousands of kids and families to experience the "PLAY BALL Weekend" movement, June 14-16

In nearly every corner of the United States and on six continents around the world, fans of all ages will have a chance to be part of the “PLAY BALL Weekend” movement. PLAY BALL WEEKEND is a worldwide effort to inspire participation in baseball and softball through activities hosted by MLB, MiLB & Partner League Clubs, MLB’s international offices throughout the world, and youth league partners, beginning on Friday, June 14th and lasting through Sunday, June 16th.

A primary focus of PLAY BALL WEEKEND will be connecting with youth from different backgrounds, while closing equity gaps to accessing the game,and encouraging kids, families and communities to PLAY BALL all summer long.

PLAY BALL WEEKEND ‘BY THE NUMBERS’

• 50,000Franklin Bat & Ball Sets to be distributed for casual play in communities, playgrounds and backyards
• Activities on six continents around the world
• All 30 MLB Clubs, all 120 MiLB Clubs, Hundreds of Mayors in the United States and Puerto Rico, MLB Partner League Clubs and more.

GLOBAL ACTIVITY

• All 30 MLB Clubs: Whether at home or on the road, every Major League Club will host PLAY BALL Weekend activities in their communities and/or at their ballparks. A rundown of MLB Club PLAY BALL WEEKEND activities can be seen at this link.

• All 120 MiLB & Partner League Clubs: All 120 Minor League Baseball teams and more than two dozen Partner League Clubs will participate with activities in their home stadium or at a local youth field. Most notably, world-famous barber, entrepreneur and social media star Vic Blends and his partner nonprofit, The Two-Six Project, will support his hometown Fayetteville Woodpeckers for an event on June 14th. For all Minor League PLAY BALL WEEKEND activities, please visit this link.

• Globally:

1. North America– In addition to the MLB, MiLB and Partner League Club activities, MLB is hosting a special launch event on Thursday, June 13th in New York City’s Times Square that will feature Girl Scouts troops, Nike RBI teams and more. Additionally, events will be held in the four other NYC boroughs and Westchester.
2. Asia– South Korea, Japan, China, Philippines and India
3. Europe (United Kingdom), Africa (Egypt), Australia (Adelaide) and South America (Brazil)

VIRTUAL PLAY BALL WEEKEND WITH DIAMOND KINETICS

MLB is expanding the reach of PLAY BALL Weekend by launching a first-of-its-kind virtual PLAY BALL event using the Diamond Kinetics mobile app. Kids can participate in PLAY BALL Weekend from their own backyard or any place they can swing a bat. The Diamond Kinetics iOS mobile app allows kids to play virtual games, match their swing against big league all-stars, take interactive hitting lessons, and join challenges for a chance to win MLB prizes. The Diamond Kinetics App opens up a whole new world of fun hitting experiences through PLAY BALL-themed activities that merge real-world swings with digital-mobile content and rewards.

• SwingMatch: Kids take real swings and DK’s SmartMotion technology uses the phone’s camera to capture and compare their swing motion with MLB All-Stars. Kids will be able to see how closely their swing resembles a dozen MLB players, including Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Juan Soto, and many others.
• Coach Ballgame Swing Challenge: Kids swing their bat in the Coach Ballgame Challenge. DK’s swing-counter uses the phone’s camera to count their swings. Every swing is an entry for a chance to win PLAY BALL prize packs.
• Interactive Hitting Lessons: With the intent of getting kids swinging more and smiling the whole time, the DK app provides a series of quick, fun, and easy PLAY BALL interactive lessons that teach basic hitting concepts intertwined with MLB game content.
• PLAY BALL Mini-Games: Mini-games are a series of unique, lightweight, tap-based activities that use MLB game highlights to drive engagement, connect kids with MLB players & clubs, and teach aspects of the game.
• Gamifying the Game: Participants earn experience points (XP), unlock rewards, and can customize their avatar with the MLB Club skins, card backgrounds, and PLAY BALL themed badges.
• Extending PLAY BALL Weekend All Season: Many of the activities will remain in the Diamond Kinetics app year-round, so kids can have fun, get better, and keep up with their favorite MLB players through unique interactive experiences, anywhere, anytime.

ADDITIONAL PARTNERS

• Franklin Sports– Through the long-term partnership with the family-owned and Boston-based licensee, over 50,000 PLAY BALL bat and ball sets will be dispersed to youngsters throughout the course of PLAY BALL Weekend.
• S. Conference of Mayors– Since 2015, the U.S. Conference of Mayors have been key supporters with customized, community based “Mayor’s PLAY BALL” events that revolve around fun, non-traditional play and skills building.
• PLAY BALL Youth Partners– Groups from Little League Baseball & Softball, Girl Scouts of the USA, Nike Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities and more will participate in various PLAY BALL Weekend activities.
• RCX Sports – The official operator of MLB’s *Pitch, Hit & Run* skills competition is working with MLB, MiLB & Partner League Clubs, as well as local community organizations, to host nearly 100 Pitch, Hit & Run contests throughout PLAY BALL Weekend.

ABOUT PLAY BALL

• PLAY BALL is MLB’s signature youth engagement activity that is featured in events all around the United States and Canada. More information on the program, as well as future event updates, can be found at www.PlayBall.org. The PLAY BALL initiative is baseball’s global effort to encourage young people and communities to engage in baseball- or softball-related activities, including formal leagues, special events and casual forms of play. PLAY BALL events have become MLB’s signature youth engagement activity during the professional and amateur baseball and softball calendar, especially on key dates throughout MLB’s Championship Season and through the World Series. PLAY BALL events demonstrate the positive way the game can serve as an outlet for physical activity, fun with friends and learning how to play the sport at its most basic levels. PLAY BALL also serves as the League’s youth umbrella in which all associated programs and events derive from the initiative’s consistent, simple message: However You Play Ball, PLAY BALL! PlayBall.org is the PLAY BALL initiative’s online home and is accessible via MLB.com, USABaseball.com, USASoftball.com and other partner websites.