July 28, 2011
Press Release

THINK DETROIT PAL JUNIOR BASEBALL TEAM ADVANCES TO RBI WORLD SERIES
SENIOR AND SOFTBALL TEAMS HAVE GREAT SHOWING, BUT FALL SHORT IN REGIONAL FINALS

Detroit, Mich – On July 25, Think Detroit PAL’s Junior RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) baseball team earned a spot in the RBI World Series after winning Major League Baseball’s RBI East Regional in Cincinnati. Think Detroit PAL’s Junior ballclub, which consists of 13-15 year olds, won in convincing fashion over Play Ball Indiana 11-1. The game had to be halted on account of a mercy rule. The Junior ballclub will now advance to the 19th annual RBI World Series in Minneapolis, which will be played at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. The World Series will begin August 2 and conclude on August 14.

Think Detroit PAL’s other two teams represented the organization and the city well at the Regionals. While the TDP Senior and Softball teams fell short reaching the RBI World Series, each team earned the right to play in the Finals by winning several games over the course of the weekend. TDP’s Senior squad, compiled of players ages 16-18, lost a close 5-4 game to the Cleveland Baseball Federation, after rallying from a 5-1 deficit. The softball team (19U) lost to Cleveland as well.

The baseball finals were played at Great American Ballpark, the home field of the Cincinnati Reds. The softball final was played just south of Cincinnati at Northern Kentucky University.

Major League Baseball’s RBI Program is in its 22nd year, but this is only the second year of the Junior RBI program. The RBI Program has given inner city kids all over the country the opportunity to partake in quality, competitive baseball and softball for free. The program services more than 200,000 young people across the U.S.

To learn more about the MLB RBI Program, click here.

Think Detroit PAL was formed in 2006 with the merger of Think Detroit Inc. and the Detroit Police Athletic League.  In partnership with the Detroit Police Department and community volunteers, Think Detroit PAL builds character in young people through athletic, academic and leadership development programs.  In 2010, Think Detroit PAL served over 10,000 girls and boys through 10 sports, making it one of the largest youth organizations in the state of Michigan. More than 80 cents of each dollar donated to Think Detroit PAL goes directly into programming.

For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, please contact Think Detroit PAL at 313-833-1600 or on the web at www.thinkdetroitpal.org.