By Matthew Burris
Major League Baseball has been seeing a decline in urban American youths wanting to pick up a glove and bat.
It's a dangerous prospect, the concept of losing a whole generation of stellar athletes to other games, or, worse, a life of crime.
That's why the Major League Baseball offices have gone to drastic measures to reach out to these publics and target minorities in particular, in an effort to increase young minority participation in the game of baseball.
The program, Reviving Baseball in Inner cities, or RBI, and the accompanying PR campaign have been a great success.
MLB has used a variety of exciting and effective tactics to bring kids to baseball.
From the old stand-by's of news releases and press conferences, to community events and public service announcements starring real MLB stars (most of whom are a minority), MLB has reached out to community leaders as well as kids.
Going forward, MLB plans to open more RBI locations and give back to many more communities. Building baseball facilities around the country not only serves to improve the life of the game, but the lives of those kids who wouldn't have otherwise had the chance to play ball.
Great job, Major League Baseball.
2 comments:
I am very intrigued with the efforts Major League Baseball offices have recently decided upon. In any profession, minority representation and diversity play a huge role towards the success of the company. We are living in an age where people of all colors and creeds should receive equal representation and why not incorporate that idea in the MLB world. I believe minority children have a better chance at seeking success if they see someone who looks like them on television playing other sports besides basketball and football. (no disrepesct intended) Like the famous cliche, "children are our futre," is very true and I appreciate the MLB for acknowledging that.
I am really glad that the MLB is reaching out to the community. Sports are a great way to get children involved in a positive community activity and it is nice to know that MLB is working to make resources available to children who might not otherwise play baseball. Great post!
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