New Youth Baseball Initiative Expands on RBI Program for its 20th Anniversary

As part of the Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities (RBI) Program’s 20th anniversary celebration, Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced the formation of the Jr. RBI Program presented by KPMG, a youth outreach program that will create playing divisions for children ages 6 to 12. Like the RBI program, the Jr. RBI Program is designed to increase participation and interest in baseball and softball, encourage academic participation and achievement and teach the value of teamwork.

The Jr. RBI Program presented by KPMG has committed to 16 pilot cities across the country. Pilot cities are Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York City, Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Bradenton (FL), Chicago, Cincinnati, Jackson (MS), Jersey City (NJ), Nashville, Sacramento, Seattle and St. Louis. The Jr. RBI Program presented by KPMG will provide baseball and softball leagues to the underserved youth of those communities.

“Over the past 20 years, RBI has provided a vehicle for inner city youth to play the game of baseball and learn valuable life lessons,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “The launch of Jr. RBI presented by KPMG is an exciting step in bridging the gap for the children in these communities to enter this important process at a young age. I look forward to the further success and development of both programs.”

“We are honored to celebrate the expansion of the RBI program on Jackie Robinson Day,” said Tim Flynn, Chairman of KPMG, LLP. “Jackie represents the kind of role model as both competitor and citizen that the RBI program strives to create. This is our third year partnering with Major League Baseball on RBI and we look forward to giving thousands more kids the chance to play baseball and softball and benefit from the educational and life-skill programs that has made the RBI program such a great success.”

To commemorate Jackie Robinson Day on Wednesday, April 15, MLB and RBI hosted a RBI Presented by KPMG Clinic, sponsored by Nike. The event at the Harlem RBI Fields in New York involved 100 RBI players (50 from Harlem RBI and 50 from the new Jackie Robinson Jr. RBI Program in Jersey City, NJ) and covered basic baseball skills. The clinic was run by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. New York Mets Outfielder Jeremy Reed, ESPN Broadcaster Joe Morgan, Sharon Robinson, Daughter of Jackie, MLB Executive Vice President of Business Tim Brosnan and KPMG Executives also attended. Nike provided apparel for all participants and has donated equipment to RBI programs around the country.

“Nike is pleased to partner with Major League Baseball and its activities to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day,” said Leroy Ebanks, Nike US Brand Manager, Field Sports. “We are honored to supply apparel for the RBI clinic and equipment for participating RBI programs around the country. It is our hope that Nike’s support of this event will assist in the participation and development of children who wish to follow the path of one of America’s inspirational and iconic trailblazers, the great Jackie Robinson.”

The launch of the new Jr. RBI program is an important element of the RBI Program’s 20th Anniversary, and will be celebrated with the inaugural Jr. RBI Classic presented by KPMG in July during All-Star Week in St. Louis. MLB also will host the 17th Annual RBI World Series presented by KPMG, in Jupiter, FL in August.

KPMG has partnered with Major League Baseball since 2007 to sponsor hundreds of baseball and softball clinics around the country. KPMG also teamed with Major League Baseball to establish the RBI for RBI Scholarship fund in 2008 which provides financial help to RBI participants who exhibit exceptional athletic and academic commitment.

One of the highlights this year is the Jr. RBI Classic presented by KPMG, which will be held July 10-13 in St. Louis, MO. A regular season team in the 11-12 age division from each of the 16 Jr. RBI pilot cities will travel to St. Louis to participate in a friendly 32-game tournament. Teams will also get the opportunity to participate in MLB All-Star FanFest and attend MLB All-Star Week events such as the XM All-Star Futures Game, and the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.

The 17th annual RBI World Series presented by KPMG will be hosted August 4-14 at Roger Dean Stadium, the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals shared Spring Training site in Jupiter, Florida. The RBI World Series is the championship round of the RBI program, the Major League Baseball youth baseball and softball initiative presented by KPMG.

Since it was established in 1989 by former scout and Major Leaguer John Young, the RBI program has provided a path for many players to enter the college and professional game. The program has a presence in more than 200 cities worldwide, and annually provides more than 100,000 boys and girls with the opportunity to play baseball and softball. MLB and its Clubs have designated more than $30 million worth of resources to the RBI program and all 30 Major League Baseball Clubs have supported RBI programs. More than 180 RBI participants have been drafted by Major League Clubs in the program’s 20-year history. RBI alumni currently playing in the big leagues include: Carl Crawford (Tampa Bay Rays), Coco Crisp (Kansas City Royals), James Loney (Los Angeles Dodgers), CC Sabathia (New York Yankees), Justin Upton (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Yovani Gallardo (Milwaukee Brewers).

“Options were limited for a guy like me,” said Crawford. “RBI allowed me to be seen by people who normally wouldn’t have had the chance to see me.”

“Without RBI I wouldn’t be in the big leagues,” said Crisp. “There are so many other things that people can get into during their free time. I guess I found a lot of other places to play, but RBI helped me on the baseball field and as well in the classroom and I like to give back.”

RBI presented by KPMG is one of many Major League Baseball initiatives dedicated to enhancing youth participation and interest in baseball and softball. Specifically, RBI is designed to promote interest in the sport, increase the self-esteem of disadvantaged children, and encourage kids to stay in school. RBI programs have been started in more than 200 cities worldwide, and annually provide as many as 100,000 boys and girls the opportunity to play baseball and softball. For more information, please visit: http://www.mlb.com/rbi