Tuesday April 26, 2016

WTOP sports columnist, Noah Frank (@NoahFrankWTOP ), gave some highlights of the DC Grays’ announcement of it’s R.B.I. program in this recent article.

http://wtop.com/mlb/2016/04/mlbs-rbi-program-arrives-in-washington/

Monday April 18, 2016

Washington Times sports columnist, Deron Snyder (@DeronSnyder ), gave great insight and praise to the DC Grays R.B.I. program in this recent article.

http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/apr/18/mlb-rbi-inner-city-program-washington-youth/

​MLB Partners with D.C. Grays

to Bring “Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities” Program to D.C.

 

RBI Program Provides Life-Changing Opportunities

for Kids in Underserved Communities

 

What:             D.C. Grays Baseball, a member of the Cal Ripken collegiate baseball league and a non-profit organization devoted to bringing the game of baseball to inner city youths in Washington, D.C., will operate the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program – known as D.C. Grays RBI – in partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB).

RBI is a nationwide program designed to promote the game of baseball to teenage boys and girls in disadvantaged areas.

More than two million players have come through the RBI program since its inception in 1989. MLB clubs have drafted more than 200 alumni, and many other alumni have received baseball and softball scholarships to further their education.

As part of the RBI program, the D.C. Grays are sponsoring teams for underserved youth. D.C. Grays RBI will operate several baseball and softball teams. The D.C. Grays are also donating baseball equipment and apparel to the Sousa Middle School baseball program.

 

When:             Thursday, April 14, 9:00 AM ET

Where:           Washington Nationals Youth Academy, 3675 Ely Place SE, Washington, D.C.

Who:               Attendees include:

Mike Barbera, President, D.C. Grays Baseball
C. Grays Baseball Board Members Brad Burris and Christopher Spera
John Philips Sousa Middle School baseball players
John Philips Sousa Middle School Coach Brie Whitmire
Mike Zarrelli, Manager Federal Affairs, Amway
 

Contact:         On behalf of D.C. Grays Baseball, Paul Hortenstine, 202-295-8776 [email protected]; or Matt Schubert, 202-295-8794, [email protected]

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About Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI)   www.mlbcommunity.org

The RBI program was founded in 1989 in South Central Los Angeles by former Major Leaguer John Young.  A success in Los Angeles, the RBI concept was adopted in New York, St. Louis and Kansas City within two years. Since 1991, the RBI Program has been administered by Major League Baseball. Major League Baseball serves as the central administrative office for RBI and, from 1993-1996, along with Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association provided start-up grants for programs demonstrating financial need.

The RBI program will be entering its 27th year of play in 2016. From its inception in 1989 through the 2015 season, RBI has grown from a local program for boys in South Central Los Angeles to an international campaign encompassing more than 200 cities and as many as 200,000 male and female participants a year.

RBI has been embraced in many communities because it teaches kids that being a success in life takes more than succeeding on the ball field – it also means succeeding in the classroom and the community.

About D.C. Grays Baseball  www.dcgrays.com

A member of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, D.C. Grays Baseball is named in honor of the Negro league champion Homestead Grays. The Grays play their home games at the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, with the season scheduled to begin their 40-game schedule starting in June. Admission is free.

The mission of D.C. Grays Baseball is to provide opportunities for college players, particularly African-American players, and also to give inner-city youth a chance to learn the game of baseball. The Grays commitment is to be ambassadors for baseball in one of the most economically challenged areas of the District.

D.C. Grays Baseball has also secured partnerships with the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy and the following Washington, D.C.-based community baseball organizations: D.C Knights Baseball; District #3 Little Leagues, including the Mamie Peanut Johnson Little League in Ward 7, the Southern District Little League in Ward 8 and JBAB, the Capitol Hill Little League in Ward 6, the Satchell Paige Senators Little League in Ward 5, the Banneker Little League in Wards 1 and 4, the Capitol City Little League in Wards 3 and 5 and the Northwest Little League in Wards 2 and 3, as well as other groups.

D.C. Grays Baseball welcomes corporate and personal sponsorships and donations. Volunteer opportunities are also available, as well as needs for host families to house some of the young men that come from around the country to play for the Grays and teach in the clinics.