CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians announced Friday the 12 teams that will take part in Playball! CLE for the 2022 season.
Playball! CLE is a Cleveland Guardians Charities initiative that aims to help underserved baseball, softball and adaptive organizations throughout northeast Ohio with financial assistance and educational resources.
The leagues are eligible for grants if they make a "commitment to providing access and opportunity for youth of all ages, regardless of backgrounds, demographics and accessibility needs."
Overall, the goal of the partnership between the Cleveland Guardians and local youth leagues is to increase representation and help grow baseball and softball in marginalized communities throughout the area.
This year's T-Ball, baseball and softball leagues for Playball! CLE include:
- B Buzz Baseball League
- Baseball Heritage Museum/BHM Buckeyes
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio
- Maple Heights Boys League
- Near West Recreation
- OBALL
- Tri-League Little League
- West Denison Baseball Leagues, Inc.
This year's adaptive leagues include:
- Achievement Centers for Children
- Empower Sports
- Miracle League of Lake County
Guardians players Josh Naylor, José Ramírez, Franmil Reyes and Myles Straw will serve as Guardians Youth Baseball & Softball Player Ambassadors. Their goal is to support the diverse group of young athletes.
“Even if I had never progressed to where I am today, I will never forget the friendships, mentoring, and other positive experiences baseball has given me,” said Straw in the press release. “It makes me happy to potentially create those type of memories for the youth in our city.”
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