The mission of the Pittsburgh Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program is to increase participation and interest in baseball and softball among underserved youth through instruction and competitive play, while encouraging youth to achieve academically, demonstrate good sportsmanship and contribute positively to the community.
The Pittsburgh RBI program began in 1994 as a part of Major League Baseball's international RBI initiative. During the 2012 season, Pittsburgh RBI included more than 900 area youth in 9 different communities throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. The RBI program focuses on instruction and competitive play. Throughout the summer, Pittsburgh RBI teams competed in the City of Pittsburgh Department of Parks and Recreation BIG League. The McKeesport Colt team captured the league championship in 2012 within the BIG League/City of Pittsburgh program.
In addition to regular season play, three Pittsburgh RBI All-Star teams, including a Junior Boys team (13-15 years old), a Senior Boys team (16-18 years old), and a Girls Fast-Pitch team (18 & Under) traveled to Harrisburg, PA to compete in an MLB-sponsored regional tournament. Although the Pittsburgh RBI All-Star teams did not qualify for the annual MLB RBI World Series in Minneapolis, MN, all teams competed and represented the region well.
The Pirates Community Baseball Center, which officially opened in February 2007, hosts over 4,000 youth each year. This facility, which is part of the Shadyside Boys & Girls Club, is designed to assist Pittsburgh RBI youth in developing baseball and softball fundamentals and techniques.
The Pittsburgh Pirates coaching staff shows their support for Pittsburgh RBI through youth and coaches clinics. Pirates' coaches provide the Pittsburgh RBI coaches with instructional clinics to demonstrate and showcase the fundamentals of baseball. What about youth clinics? You talk about providing clinics to coaches but don't say anything about youth even though it is mentioned above.
Tajuan Dutrielle, a Pittsburgh RBI youth, was selected as one of 12 national recipients of the RBI for RBI (is this really what it is called?) college scholarships. The scholarship provides RBI athletes $5,000 per year for four years during their pursuit of higher education.
Softball within the Pittsburgh RBI program is growing and developing each year. In 2012, the Pirates' ball-girls conducted an instructional softball clinic in McKeesport, PA for all ages. More than 50 girls softball players learned various techniques and skills to improve their play for the upcoming season.
RBI also held an instructional baseball clinic in McKeesport, PA for boys of all ages. This event was in collaboration with the Major League Baseball Players Association and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. Representatives from these organizations were joined by Pittsburgh Pirates players including Andrew McCutchen and Joel Hanrahan to teach the children techniques and fundamentals to further their growth as players.
The Pittsburgh RBI program also emphasizes the importance of education by providing various educational opportunities throughout the season. Twenty youth attended the "Skills that Pay the Bills" financial literacy program offered by KPMG of Pittsburgh last year. Youth also had the opportunity to participate in programs including the Jackie Robinson Essay and Poetry contest, and Healthy Choices, Healthy Children, a character development program sponsored by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.
In 2012, Pittsburgh RBI was a recipient of a Baseball Tomorrow Fund equipment grant of $5,000. During an on-field ceremony at PNC Park, a representative honored both Pittsburgh RBI administrators and youth. In addition, members of Pittsburgh RBI held an equipment drive that allowed Pirates fans to donate new or gently used baseball equipment. Also, Pittsburgh RBI was one of four MLB RBI programs to receive a $25,000 grant from Scott's Lawn Care that will be used for field renovation, field maintenance, and additional equipment for the multiple RBI teams. This grant will be used to support the program for the 2013 season.
Over 2,500 Pittsburgh Pirates game tickets games were provided free-of-charge to players, coaches, and volunteers of Pittsburgh RBI, many who have never had the opportunity to attend a professional baseball game.
The more advanced Pittsburgh RBI teams compete in the CitiParks BIG League Sports program. In 2007, six of these teams made it to the playoffs in BIG League competition. The Pittsburgh RBI Boys All-Star Team also did very well and advanced to the Championship Game in the Mid-Atlantic RBI Regional Tournament in 2007, earning a Runner-Up trophy. The Pittsburgh RBI Girls Softball team won (for the third straight year) the RBI Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament in 2008.
In an effort to include more youth in Pittsburgh RBI and teach them the important core skills of baseball, there are many other Pittsburgh RBI teams that are active but still in development. These teams compete against one another in the Pittsburgh RBI League with the objective of being able to advance and compete in the BIG League program in the future.
The MLB RBI program is for youth ages 13 to 18. Pittsburgh RBI extends services to younger kids because it is important to begin teaching youth baseball fundamentals at the earliest age possible. These "Junior" RBI participants are provided with a variety of support services, including equipment and uniforms as needed. Pittsburgh RBI also provides assistance to community volunteers working with these young participants helping them to develop age-appropriate coaching skills and techniques. In 2007, many of these youngsters participated in Major League Baseball's Boys & Girls Clubs of America Rookie League program, which uses a pitching machine to simulate and replace the human pitcher.
The MLB RBI program is for youth ages 13 to 18. Pittsburgh RBI extends services to younger kids because it is important to begin teaching youth baseball fundamentals at the earliest age possible. These "Junior" RBI participants are provided with a variety of support services, including equipment and uniforms as needed. Pittsburgh RBI also provides assistance to community volunteers working with these young participants helping them to develop age-appropriate coaching skills and techniques. In 2007, many of these youngsters participated in Major League Baseball's Boys & Girls Clubs of America Rookie League program, which uses a pitching machine to simulate and replace the human pitcher.
