press release
Major league Baseball International and Pitch in for baseball team up to provide Equipment for Clinics in Barranquilla.
Major League Baseball International (MLBI) and Pitch In for Baseball (PIFB) donated youth baseball equipment to the United States Embassy in Colombia, it was announced today. The donation coincides with a clinic hosted by the Academia de Baseball Hermanos Rentería, co-owned and founded by Detroit Tiger Edgar Renteria in his hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia. The December 13th clinic, given by Edgar's brother Edinson Renteria, is part of the US Embassy’s sport diplomacy initiative in Colombia.
“Major League Baseball International is pleased to be able to join Pitch In For Baseball in outfitting the clinics in Barranquilla,’” said Paul Archey, Senior Vice President of Business Operations, Major League Baseball International. “It can be hard to find baseball equipment at the local level, making our Equipment Donation Program an incredibly important program for the development of the game.”
“Pitch In For Baseball is delighted to be part of this donation. Providing the children of Baranquilla with the necessary equipment so that they can enjoy baseball in a safe and healthy environment is what our organization is all about,” said David Rhode, Executive Director, Pitch In For Baseball.
The Major League Baseball International Equipment Donation Program was initiated with the goal of promoting and enhancing the growth of baseball around the world by providing the necessary equipment, which can prove challenging to obtain at the grassroots level. Since the program’s inception in 2003, MLB International has distributed baseball equipment to organizations in more than 30 countries worldwide, including American Samoa, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Israel, Kenya, Malta, Mali, Mexico, Mozambique, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Palau, Panama, Romania, Russia, St. Martin, Tunisia, Uganda and Vietnam.
About Major League Baseball International
Major League Baseball International (MLBI) focuses on the worldwide growth of baseball and the promotion of Major League Baseball and MLB Club trademarks and copyrights through special events, broadcasting, market development, licensing and sponsorship initiatives. MLBI is committed to showcasing the world’s best baseball talent through international events around the globe. Broadcast in 229 countries and territories, Major League Baseball game telecasts are re-transmitted in 13 different languages. MLBI executes and supports game development programs targeting players and coaches from grassroots to elite levels. With an extensive list of marketing partners worldwide, MLBI continues to grow its position as a leader in the international marketplace. MLBI is supported in its mission through presences in Beijing, New York, London, Sydney and Tokyo.
About Pitch In For Baseball
‘Pitch In For Baseball,’ a 501(c)3 charity dedicated to spreading America’s pastime to the next generation, will support the delivery and execution of the equipment donation. Charitable donations from individuals and corporations enable PIFB to collect, organize and distribute new and gently used baseball equipment to children in under-served communities worldwide. To learn more about the organization, visit www.pitchinforbaseball.org.