Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals shortstop and runner-up for the 2024 American League MVP award, has been named Major League Baseball’s first-ever official PLAY BALL Ambassador. Now in its 10th year, the PLAY BALL (www.PlayBall.org) initiative was formed to encourage casual forms of baseball and softball play to help grow participation in the sport. As PLAY BALL Ambassador, Witt Jr. will play a central role in MLB’s efforts to encourage youth participation in baseball and softball appearing in content across MLB media outlets inspiring the next generation of players and fans. The league also is conducting a new global advertising program called “First Glove” in its continued effort to reinforce participation at the youth level.
As MLB’s signature youth engagement effort, the PLAY BALL program debuted in 2015 during Commissioner Manfred’s first year in the role as a response to declining participation in baseball and softball at the time. Baseball and softball participation has grown significantly in the 10-year period since PLAY BALL was established according to the most recent report from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) issued earlier this month.
Highlights from SFIA’s March 2025 report include:
- Casual baseball participation, which has been the primary focus of PLAY BALL, for ages 6+ has increased +123% since 2014, the year prior to the program’s establishment.
- In each of the last five years, baseball and softball combined to be the overall most-participated team sport in the U.S. among kids aged 6-12.
- Overall participation in baseball among 6-17 year-olds is at 8.49 million, the highest mark on record and an increase of +27% (1.78M) as compared to 2014.
- Overall, there are more than 26.5 million participants in baseball and softball in the U.S., an increase of +17% since 2014.
As part of his ambassadorship, Witt Jr. will be featured in regular content pieces across the PLAY BALL and MLB social media channels and MLB Network’s “Play Ball” weekly half-hour program designed to educate young fans about the game. Each week, the show will include tips featuring Bobby Witt Jr and MLB Youth Ambassador “Coach Ballgame,” along with trivia from Bobby, and an exclusive interview featuring “Play Ball” show host AJ Andrews with a different MLB star. The show’s 2025 season premier will air on March 29th at 10 a.m. ET.
After being selected 2nd overall in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Colleyville, TX, Witt Jr. made his MLB debut in 2022 and finished a historic 2024 season in which he became the first ever MLB shortstop with multiple 30/30 seasons (30 home runs + 30 stolen bases) and was awarded: Silver Slugger; Gold Glove; All-Star; 1st Team All-MLB; Heart & Hustle Award; and the American League Batting Title.
“Bobby Witt Jr. embodies everything PLAY BALL is all about – passion, energy, and a love for the game,” said Tony Reagins, MLB Chief Baseball Development Officer. “His enthusiasm for baseball and desire to reach the sport’s next generation make him the perfect choice to be MLB’s first Major League PLAY BALL Ambassador. As PLAY BALL turns 10 years-old, the excitement of Bobby Witt Jr.’s involvement positions us to have the most impactful year of PLAY BALL to date.”
In support of this anniversary, MLB has introduced a new global campaign called “First Glove,” which highlights the special connection of a young player to his or her first glove. The centerpiece of the initiative will be a 30-second spot (LINK) featuring the different ways young players break in a new glove as a mechanic to showcase the first step in a child’s baseball or softball journey. The spot has premiered during Spring Training games after being launched earlier this month and will air throughout the 2025 MLB season nationally and locally; on MLB media outlets including MLB Network, MLB.com and MLB social media accounts; and most recently during MLB programming during the Tokyo Series. League content throughout the year also will capture MLB players sharing memories about their first glove.
The PLAY BALL initiative has reached millions of kids since its inception, offering resources, free events, and partnerships with organizations such as USA Baseball, USA Softball, Little League International and more. MLB’s annual PLAY BALL Weekend (June 13-15) will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the program with special events and programming. For more information on MLB’s PLAY BALL initiative and upcoming events, visit www.PlayBall.org or follow @PLAYBALL on social media.