News
Great American Ballpark hosts RBI games
Youth leagues compete for chance at RBI World SeriesBy Steve Gartner / MLB.com
08/03/09 4:21 PM ET
CINCINNATI -- Teams in the East Regional of the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities League (RBI) program had the opportunity to play just like the Reds at Great American Ballpark on Monday. The teams in the Jr. Division (15 and under) played at 7:30 a.m. ET, while the Sr. Division (18 and under) played at 10:30 a.m. The girl's fast-pitched softball final was played at 10 a.m. at Northern Kentucky University. Players and coaches in the two baseball games were awarded their trophies from Reds manager Dusty Baker and his son, Darren, after their games. "It's a great opportunity for them," volunteer Cincinnati RBI Commissioner Bill Daggy said. "We had some great baseball out there today." A total of 16 teams competed in the three divisions, with seven states represented. Daggy said there are seven regions in the RBI program with each team sponsored by a Major League team or another group like the Boys and Girls Club of America. This week's tournament was run by the Reds Community Fund and led by Outreach Coordinator Adam Schaffer. The East Regional tournament will be held in Cincinnati the next two years. Last year, Pittsburgh ended its three-year run as host. Schaffer said securing a bid through Major League Baseball to host the tournament was a process. "We won the bid based on access to a quality field and the location," Schaffer said. "We were able to secure the field even though it's the middle of the 10-game homestand." Baker addressed the teams at the conclusion of the game. "You have to be gracious when you win," Baker said. "Sometimes you learn more in disappointment than in winning." The winning teams will now travel to Jupiter, Fla., for the 2009 RBI World Series presented by KPMG from Aug. 4-14. But Monday, the kids were living the dream of a Major League baseball player for a day. "It's a memory," Daggy said. "One of the umpires said before the game, 'I know how excited the kids are, but I'm excited to be out on a Major League baseball field also.'"Steve Gartner is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
