MIAMI – At the request of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan, the Miami Marlins upheld their end of an agreement to encourage children in the Miami Gardens area to learn the game of baseball. Through Major League Baseball’s Jr. RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program, the Marlins made a $20,000 contribution to the City of Miami Gardens Parks Department and Up2Us for children to take part in baseball clinics and workshops.
On hand to present the check were Hall of Famer Andre Dawson, Vice President and Executive Director of the Miami Marlins Foundation Alfredo Mesa and several current players.
“This contribution from the Marlins will net a great return on their investment,” said Commissioner Jordan. “The Jr. RBI program will be a constructive program that will allow these children to learn the value of teamwork and sportsmanship.”
In 2009, Major League Baseball launched the Jr. RBI program to provide opportunities for young people ages 5 to 12 in underserved communities to play baseball and softball. The Marlins Jr. RBI program’s inaugural season took place in 2010. Jr. RBI serves as a feeder program to the RBI league and provides an avenue for kids to begin playing baseball and softball at a younger age.
