News

For Immediate Release

May 17, 2019

RED SOX FOUNDATION TO HOST “RBI OPENING DAY” CEREMONIES AT JIM RICE FIELD IN ROXBURY TOMORROW

BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox Foundation will host season-opening ceremonies for its RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) and Jr. RBI programs, which engage Boston’s youth in baseball and softball.

“RBI Opening Day” takes place tomorrow, Saturday, May 18, at Jim Rice Field in Roxbury. Ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. The 2018 World Series trophy will be on hand, and baseball and softball equipment from the Jordan’s Furniture equipment drive will be handed out to players before the festivities.

RBI welcomes youth 9-18 years old to the game of baseball, and Jr. RBI introduces youngsters 5-12 to the game. For the 2019 season, the RBI Program will add new teams in East Boston and Hyde Park, and support an additional Jr. RBI League in Roxbury. The program is estimated to serve around 2,000 boys and girls and is funded and operated by the Red Sox Foundation with support by Aramark, Bank of America, CarGurus, Franklin Sports, JetBlue, Jordan’s Furniture, Regina Pizzeria, Target, and Zipcar.

“We are pleased to be introducing more kids to baseball and softball this season with the expansion of our Jr. RBI and RBI programs,” said Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Bekah Salwasser. “Our goal has always been to provide the young people in our city and across all of the communities in Red Sox Nation with greater access to baseball and softball.  We are excited to provide hundreds more with the opportunity to participate in these great programs. We are looking forward to another successful season.”

Media are invited to cover Saturday’s event. Jim Rice Field is located at 1970 Washington Street in Roxbury. In the event of inclement weather, a modified event will be held at Fenway Park at Gate E for players and coaches to pick up equipment.

About the Red Sox Foundation

The official team charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Red Sox Foundation has donated to over 1,680 organizations since its creation in 2002, and focused on making a difference in the lives of children, families, Veterans, and communities in need by improving their  health, education, and recreational opportunities. Through partnerships with best-in-class organizations in healthcare, the Red Sox have helped raised over $135 million for cancer treatment and research for The Jimmy Fund, supported more than 15,000 Veterans and their families suffering from the “invisible wounds of war” with the Home Base Program, and helped the Dimock Center serve over 17,000 patients annually with health and human services. The Foundation’s self-run education and youth baseball programs have helped 274 Boston Public Schools students with college scholarships, and promotes healthy choices and valuable life skills to more than 700 urban youth annually through its RBI baseball and softball program.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Red Sox Foundation raises funds through special events, corporate sponsorships, and grants. Founded and initially funded by Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, President/CEO Emeritus Larry Lucchino and their partners, the Red Sox Foundation has won numerous awards for the impact of its innovative programs. In 2010, the Foundation’s Red Sox Scholars program was recognized by Major League Baseball with the first-ever “MLB Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence.” In 2009, the Red Sox Foundation was honored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Sports Philanthropy Project with the Patterson Award as the nation’s “Best Team Charity in Sports.”  For more information about the foundation, visit redsoxfoundation.org.

–RED SOX–