Arlington, Texas— As part of Major League Baseball’s worldwide PLAY BALL Weekend movement, the Texas Rangers will host three events centered around increasing youth involvement in baseball and softball at their West Dallas Youth Academy from Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16.

Friday, June 14 – Summer PLAY BALL Programming

From 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., summer baseball and softball programming will get the PLAY BALL treatment. A typical day of summer training will be adapted to feature fun drills and some friendly competition, followed by a Semien Family Summer Food Distribution that will send athletes home with healthy produce for the weekend. Participants will also receive t-shirts to commemorate the weekend and PLAY BALL bat and ball kits.

Saturday, June 15 – Nike RBI Doubleheader

Baseball fans are invited to watch a Nike RBI senior baseball doubleheader between the Heat and Bandits at the Academy’s Johnny Oates Field. First pitch for Game 1 will be at 9 a.m., and Game 2 will begin at approximately 10:45 a.m. The games are open to the public at no cost, and there will be giveaways for some lucky fans in the grandstands.

Sunday, June 16 – MLBPAA Legends for Youth Clinic

The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) will host a Legends for Youth Clinic for kids 7-12 years old on Sunday, connecting former and aspiring Major Leaguers for a three-hour camp focused on improving skills and sharing wisdom with the next generation through a dedicated Q&A session. The clinic will begin at 9 a.m., and the following former players are expected to participate:

• Jerry Browne (TEX: 1986-88)
• Scott Coolbaugh (TEX: 1989-90)
• Mike Jeffcoat (TEX: 1987-92)
• Warren Newson (TEX: 1996-98)
• Justin Ruggiano (TEX: 2016)
• Donnie Sadler (TEX: 2002-03)
• Dan Smith (TEX: 1992, 1994)
• Curtis Wilkerson (TEX: 1983-88)
• Jeff DeWillis (TOR: 1987)

To register for Texas Rangers PLAY BALL Weekend events or learn more, visit rangers.com/playball.

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.