ARLINGTON -- Bobby Witt Jr. often thinks back to when he was a kid and a fan of several sports teams, including the Rangers, Red Sox and University of Oklahoma football and baseball. At 8 or 9 years old, Witt was chasing down autographs of his favorite players. He was the one mimicking his idols like Dustin Pedroia, Derek Jeter, Michael Young and Ian Kinsler.
Now Witt is the one giving out autographs to kids wearing his No. 7 Royals jersey. He’s the one kids are now idolizing as one of the superstars in baseball.
“It’s like a full-circle thing,” Witt said. “And who knows, with the kids we’re working with now, it could be the same thing.”
Baseball has given Witt so much, and he’s now trying to reciprocate. The Royals’ shortstop was named MLB’s first Major League Play Ball Ambassador, contributing to baseball’s global effort that encourages young people and communities to engage in baseball- or softball-related activities.
Beginning in 2015, Play Ball events have become MLB’s signature youth engagement activity throughout the season and postseason, with events that demonstrate the positive way the game can serve as an outlet for physical activity, fun with friends and how to play the sport at its most basic levels.
As an ambassador, Witt will make a few appearances throughout the season during Play Ball events with the Royals and appear in promotional videos. He will be featured in regular content pieces across the Play Ball and MLB social media channels and MLB Network’s “Play Ball” weekly half-hour program designed to educate young fans about the game.
Each week, the show will include tips featuring Witt and MLB Youth Ambassador “Coach Ballgame,” along with trivia from Bobby and an exclusive interview featuring “Play Ball” show host AJ Andrews with a different MLB star. The show’s 2025 season premiere will air on March 29th at 9 a.m. CT.
“Bobby Witt Jr. embodies everything Play Ball is all about -- passion, energy, and a love for the game,” Tony Reagins, MLB Chief Baseball Development Officer, said. “His enthusiasm for baseball and desire to reach the sport’s next generation make him the perfect choice to be MLB’s first Major League Play Ball Ambassador. As Play Ball turns 10 years old, the excitement of Bobby Witt Jr.’s involvement positions us to have the most impactful year of Play Ball to date.”
When Play Ball personnel reached out to Witt about the collaboration, he was all in. He vividly remembers the youth camps he used to go to when he was growing up in nearby Colleyville, Texas -- usually showing up in a full uniform ready to compete with and learn from those around him.
“It was kind of a perfect fit,” Witt said. “Just with what they’re doing with the kids, giving back and being able to help teach baseball, how to play the game the right way and do the little things -- it just fits who I am and what I believe in.”
On Monday at Globe Life Field, before the Royals played the Rangers in the first of their final two exhibition games before Opening Day on Thursday, Witt and Play Ball hosted 30 youth players from Equipped Sports and Life Outreach, a non-profit run by Witt’s sister, Shaley Thomas. The organization supplies baseball equipment and resources to Title 1 schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Witt has helped the organization with equipment connections.
“We’re obviously so proud of Bobby with what he does on the field,” Thomas said. “But it’s what’s off the field that makes us even more proud. And it was pretty neat sitting in there and going, ‘Oh wow, these kids are looking up to him now.’ I saw him looking up to so many players growing up, so now it’s so incredible that he can be in this position and really make an impact.”
The players got a chance to ask Witt questions in an exclusive Q&A session hosted by Andrews. They asked Witt about his gameday routine, how he handled the pressure of being a top Draft pick and prospect to now being an MVP candidate and what he thinks about when he’s at the plate experiencing success like a home run or failure like a strikeout.
One question Witt answered was what he would tell his younger self when he was in high school going into the Minor Leagues.
“I would just say enjoy it,” Witt said. “Really just take it all in. Because you never know when this game is going to come to an end. So really just enjoy it and know that it’s the same game I’ve played my whole life.”
Witt was asked what the loudest stadium that he’s ever played in was, and he said Kauffman Stadium last October when the Royals brought postseason baseball back to Kansas City for the first time since the 2015 World Series.
He even answered whether he was a pancake or waffle person (he said waffles).
“It’s an honor,” Witt said about being in front of the young players Monday. “I was pretty much there, like, five years ago. So this is awesome to see. I just wish all of y’all the best of luck this season and everything that’s going on. It’s awesome that you came out.”
Afterward, Witt and the staff members of Equipped Sports and Life Outreach distributed gear to the entire group.
“I just want to help any way I can,” Witt said. “With the platform I have, I want to be able to give back in some shape or fashion all the time and help grow the game. With me going out and playing, I feel like that helps too, teaching the kids how to play the game the right way.”