2025 Hank Aaron Invitational: Hank Aaron 44 Exhibition Sport – Class of 2026 & 2027 @ Rickwood Field

Major League Baseball (MLB), the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), USA Baseball and the Atlanta Braves have introduced the re-branded Hank Aaron Invitational, which is able to add new parts to the efficient method of the previous “Elite Development Invitational.” The distinctive newbie growth occasion will function a youth-oriented, on-field initiative that goals to get excessive school-age gamers from various backgrounds to the following ranges of the sport. 

The Hank Aaron Invitational will probably be held in July at Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla., and will probably be operated by MLB, the MLBPA and USA Baseball. Approximately 250 gamers (ages 13-18) from throughout the United States will obtain elite-level coaching from former Major League gamers and coaches. Previous occasion instructors included former Major League supervisor Jerry Manuel and former All-Stars corresponding to Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, Tom “Flash” Gordon, Eric Davis, Marquis Grissom, Reggie Smith, Delino DeShields, amongst others. 

The gamers additionally will obtain displays on school eligibility and different info needed for development within the collegiate {and professional} ranges of the game. Funding of the Hank Aaron Invitational comes from the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, a joint effort established in July 2015 and centered on enhancing the caliber, effectiveness and availability of newbie baseball and softball packages throughout the United States and Canada. 

The prime 44 gamers from Week 2 of the Hank Aaron Invitational will probably be invited to play in a particular exhibition recreation at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala. 

The gamers for the Hank Aaron Invitational will probably be chosen by way of a mix of the next packages and teams: MLB Youth Academy community, Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program, MLB, the MLBPA, USA Baseball, the Buck O’Neil Scouts Association, MLB Clubs and scouts, and particular person lively and former gamers. Many gamers additionally will probably be contributors of Breakthrough Series Development Camps hosted by MLB and USA Baseball. Have questions concerning the Hank Aaron Invitational? Please e-mail [email protected].