Event overview: First ever HBCU Swingman Classic kicks off in Seattle
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – To begin the festivities for the third MLB All-Star week in the city of Seattle, a now annual event will get its start as the HBCU Swingman Classic, spearheaded by Ken Griffey Jr, gets its beginning. Referencing how his father, Ken Griffey Sr, gave back to the game of baseball, Junior aims to do the same as this event will celebrate HBCU baseball while giving players, who historically haven’t gotten much, the exposure in front of the eyes on one of baseball’s biggest stages. With numerous MLB veterans around the players in the days leading into the Swingman Classic itself, it’s an incredible opportunity for these players to make lifetime memories and motivate them further in their careers.
The players involved
Selected from 17 different schools, there are 50 players that will be partaking in this year's Swingman Classic. It’s a unique mix of players from those 17 different Historically Black Colleges and Universities, with ball players who have spent a few years honing their craft at the collegiate levels with others who just finished their freshman season. Across the position groups, catchers, infielders, and pitchers if we’re speaking generally, there are standout players across them all with a range of experience at their respective college. With a roster selected by Junior, MLB, MLBPA, and scouts around baseball, there are a ton of playmakers that will now get a brighter spotlight placed upon them so that the world can witness their capabilities and talent level.
Veteran presence
While having Ken Griffey Jr and Sr around will obviously get the mainstage given their stature, there are numerous players and staff around the HBCU athletes leading into the game and that will join them in the dugouts. With legends like Griffey Jr and Sr, Andre Dawson, Lou Brock as well as Marquis Grissom, Rickie Weeks, Jr., Vince Coleman, Tommie Agee, Tom Alston, Earl Battey, Joe Black and Larry Doby, who is also an HBCU alumnus but did not play baseball at the collegiate level, there is plenty of opportunity for the current players participating in the Swingman Classic to pick the brains of these former stars and gain knowledge that can be useful towards their career. Whether that be in the current time or as they progress is to be seen, but having these role models present is a big deal.
The other pieces that complete the experience
In addition to the game itself, there are a few other aspects that have been put in place for the Swingman Classic to fully become an incredible experience. On the call for this game when the game is broadcast live on MLB Network, former player Harold Reynolds and current broadcaster Dave Sims will be handling the play by play and color commentary duties. In addition to those two in the booth, HBCU sports journalist Symone Stanley will join the production as a sideline reporter during the ballgame to help bring more coverage and increased angles to the players outside of the game being broadcast.
After the conclusion of the ballgame, the show continues as T-Mobile Park will be putting on a firework spectacular to cap off the event. The pyrotechnic display will be put along a playlist created by The Kid himself, as Ken Griffey Jr curated a playlist that will run during the fireworks show. It’ll be fun to see what sort of songs and general vibe that Junior’s playlist will have for the spectacular, but regardless it’s fun to note how much of an impact that he’s having on this event as he works towards giving back to the game of baseball.
Why this opportunity matters
The opportunity and stage that these players are being put on is incredible, and like nothing that we’ve really been able to see yet. While the Hank Aaron invitational as well as other diversity-focused programs that are powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation are active in a similar effort to what the Swingman Classic is doing, they don’t provide the sort of stage that is being set by Major League Baseball and Ken Griffey Jr. This time spent on nationally televised MLB Network broadcast and with these veterans of Major League Baseball is invaluable time spent that would be very hard to replicate otherwise. When Junior decided to put his name on it and endorse the project, it automatically gained major status and gave the kids a much higher chance of being noticed given who will be tuning in or paying attention simply because The Kid’s name is associated to the project. These players will certainly make the most out of this opportunity when the game has its first pitch, but even the moments and memories made prior to then will be important as they’ll last those kids for a lifetime.
How to support the Swingman Classic
There are two ways that you can support the Swingman Classic, whether that be in person or by tuning in! The game itself will be airing live on MLB Network, with the game getting underway at 7:30PM PST, and that’s the best way to support the event if you’re unable to attend it in person here with us at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. If you’re in the area and able to attend the game, a ticket to get in will only cost you $10! You can buy a ticket into the event by clicking the link here, and join us, our Converge family, and so many more for what is being called the “All-Star game before the All-Star game.” With a showcase of incredible players from across the country, a firework spectacular to follow, and numerous legends in attendance, it’s sure to be a scene worth being at.