CHICAGO -- The MLB RBI Program was founded in 1989 and has served as a vehicle to help revive baseball in inner cities. Thirty-four years later, the program is still paving the way for kids to play the game they love.
There are three divisions that boys and girls can be a part of: the Senior Division (16-18 years old), the Junior Division (13-15), and Softball Division (up to 18 years old).
Players like Hunter Greene (Cincinnati Reds), Michael Harris II (Atlanta Braves), and Eloy Jiménez (Chicago White Sox) are just a few current MLB players who were a part of this program.
“I’ve always took it very seriously since I was 12 and trying out to make the team,” White Sox 15-under outfielder Mason Jarrett said. “But it just means something bigger than baseball. It’s huge for all these kids. We all get to go show our best for everybody. It’s amazing.”
All three divisions took part in the Central Regional Tournament in Chicago last weekend, looking to punch their ticket to the Nike RBI World Series at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla.
The host team -- Cubs Nike RBI -- was among eight clubs to participate in the tournament. The others were: White Sox Nike RBI, Royals Nike RBI, Indianapolis Nike RBI, Reds Nike RBI, Twins Nike RBI, Guardians Nike RBI and Tigers Nike RBI.
In the Junior Division Championship, the Chicago White Sox Ace team battled against Indianapolis for the Central Region title at the Les Miller Field at Curtis Granderson Stadium. Both teams entered the title game undefeated (4-0), but on the final day, the White Sox defeated Indianapolis, 5-0, to secure a second straight Regional title.
Last year's team eventually went on to win the RBI World Series, and will have a chance to defend that title in 2023.
“It feels amazing,” Jarrett said. “Just all the energy that we’ve had and us being home where we’re just ourselves. It feels great, it feels amazing.”
The White Sox got on the board early and never looked back. After three runners advanced via hit-by-pitches in the first inning, Mateo Morales hit a soft grounder to third that eventually scored two runs. Following a wild pitch, the White Sox scored their third run in frame, which proved to be more than enough behind the dominant pitching performances of Juan Barrientos and Derrick Holmes.
Barrientos started the game for this White Sox team and was almost untouchable. He allowed just three hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in five innings. Holmes followed him and delivered two scoreless innings with one hit and one strikeout to close the game.
Despite the big-time pitching performances, the highlight of the afternoon was when Jarrett crushed a deep fly ball to left center in the bottom of the sixth inning. Of course, playing on a college baseball field made a homer almost impossible. But Jarrett found another way to do it -- hit the ball far enough for an inside-the-park home run. He did just that.
“It feels even better having this logo on my chest,” Jarrett said. “I get to wake up every morning, and I’m like, ‘I play for the Sox, that’s sick.’”
The White Sox will once again represent the Junior Division in the Central Region at the Nike RBI World Series beginning July 31. The Cincinnati Reds won the other two divisions (Senior and Softball).
The White Sox have secured three Junior Division RBI World Series victories in 2016, 2019, and 2022. The current players are hoping to add a fourth title to the program’s history.
“It’s nerve-racking, but it’s amazing,” Jarrett said. “I love huge tournaments where I just get to be myself and do my thing.”