RBI serves approximately 150,000 young men and women in more than 200 cities worldwide. The baseball and softball program encourages racial and socioeconomic diversity as well as academic and character growth. Greater Cincinnati RBI teams receive year-round training and Academy access, thanks to support from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Nike.
For the first time in program history, the Senior Boys Baseball team won the RBI World Series in 2021.
The Reds Community Fund invests in a select number of neighborhood baseball and softball organizations to provide additional funding, resources and Academy access. The Jr. RBI program (12-and-under) honors the Reds Hall of Fame second baseman. Many of the kids move on to play traditional RBI baseball and softball (ages 13–18).
The initiative focuses on baseball principles and character development for kids ages 4-7. The goal is to promote fun and active lifestyles for children while teaching them the fundamentals of the game. The program has expanded to include Cincinnati Public Schools, along with Cincinnati Recreation Commission and Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati. Other partners include USA Baseball, MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation and Community Action Agency.
As part of its ongoing baseball-themed outreach efforts, the RCF provides funding for underserved youth baseball and softball organizations.
Since 2006, the Reds Community Fund has helped renovate and maintain ballfields by investing more than $8 million throughout Reds Country.
The annual Community Makeover is designed to transform a Greater Cincinnati neighborhood. The project features some of Cincinnati’s most iconic businesses along with local community partners who collaborate on a series of projects including investment in neighborhood baseball and softball fields.
The Reds Community Fund partnered with Major League Baseball’s Youth Development Foundation to host a training series exclusively for Joe Morgan Association (Jr. RBI) coaches in 2021. The program ran for five weeks and covered everything from developing youth skills to improving practices.
The RCF partners with Cincinnati Public Schools and the University of Cincinnati to provide 50 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors a weeklong, overnight on-campus experience.
Curriculum includes ACT test preparation, personal development, baseball and softball skills and one-on-one adult mentoring.
The Reds and Reds Community Fund partnered with Nike to help families find recreational baseball and softball teams in their neighborhoods. Close to 300 kids were connected to local athletic organizations through the campaign. Reds Hall of Famer Eric Davis served as the spokesperson.
