Baseball in the Community

American Family Field wasn’t the only Milwaukee baseball diamond the Brewers could be found at this season. As part of the Brewers ongoing commitment to grow the game of baseball, specifically with youth within the Milwaukee community, Brewers players, coaches and front office personnel have been sharing their love for the game in different baseball diamonds around the city. Through the Brewers annual PLAY BALL event, welcoming nearly 1,000 kids for baseball and softball clinics, to intimate player visits to youth baseball organizations in the city, the Milwaukee Brewers continue to contribute beyond the diamond in efforts to build affinity and excitement for the game of baseball, and to positively impact the lives of those in our community.

One diamond the Milwaukee Brewers could be found was Baran Park on Saturday, June 15 when the Brewers hosted their seventh annual Play Ball Weekend, a Major League Baseball’s league-wide initiative to encourage youth to participate in baseball and softball, share the love of the game and express how baseball can be an outlet for physical activity and a way to build positive relationships.

Brewers players Blake Perkins and Brandon Woodruff, alongside alumni Jerry Augustine, Bill Castro, Jim Gantner and Vinny Rottino, welcomed nearly 1,000 youth from around the state of Wisconsin to participate in the event and build on various baseball and softball skills. County Executive David Crowley and Milwaukee Major Cavalier Johnson were also on hand to celebrate the annual event and thank the Brewers for the ongoing support in the community.

“This is really, really a great opportunity for our kids in this community, for their physical health, for their mental health. Kids in our community deserve to have opportunities like this,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Youth participants rotated through five different stations including home run derby, agility, fielding pop-ups and grounders, running the bases and a bat and ball game. Not only did young athletes get to learn from the best, but they also got to leave with their own bat and ball set along with Brewers memorabilia.

The Brewers also visited Carver Park, Beckum-Stapleton Little League’s North Side complex. On Saturday, May 11, the usual baseball activity was heightened when Brewers pitcher Devin Williams, associate manager Rickie Weeks and hitting coach Ozzie Timmons made a visit to hang out with the Little League athletes.

“That’s where it starts, right? You’re not going to make it to the big leagues if you never play the game at all. A big part of us being out here is inspiring the next generation and getting them on the field and growing a love for the game,” said Williams.

The trio shared words of encouragement before the athletes’ games, helped them warm up and served as base coaches for the start of the game. The Milwaukee Brewers and Brewers Community Foundation have been supporters of Beckum-Stapleton Little League for more than two decades supporting the organization through various commitments; most recently providing an operating grant and purchasing 400 full uniforms including jerseys, pants, belts, hats, visors and socks for Little Leaguers in the community.

The Brewers are continuously dedicated to the advancement of youth baseball in the Milwaukee community sharing their love and building excitement for the game through financial contributions and player appearances.