DC GRAYS BASEBALL
“Ambassadors for baseball in Washington, DC”
The DC Grays baseball team is a wood-bat summer
college baseball team made up of top players from
around the country. The Grays compete in the Cal
Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, one of the elite
summer college leagues in the country. The Grays
play a 40-game regular season, followed by playoffs.
The DC Grays are not just about wins and losses on the
field. We have a community mission – to help revive
inner-city baseball. The Grays host free clinics, assist
area Little Leagues and middle school baseball
programs, and operate MLB's Reviving Baseball in
Inner Cities (RBI) program for DC. Our active
recruitment of African-American ballplayers to play for
the Grays provides uniquely qualified mentors and role
models for the children we serve.
DC Grays RBI expands for 2017
In 2016, the DC Grays partnered with Major League Baseball to bring the Reviving Baseball in
Inner Cities (RBI) program back to the Nation's Capital. RBI is an MLB initiative founded in 1989
that focuses on providing free baseball and softball programs to under-served communities.
Since MLB launched the RBI program in 1989, thousands of RBI alumni have gone on to play
college baseball and softball. In our first season, DC Grays RBI partnered with Ward 7
Baseball and other local baseball and softball organizations and sponsored five baseball teams
and two softball teams for kids primarily from Wards 6, 7 and 8. After a full summer of play
against travel teams from across the region, three of those teams represented DC in the RBI
Regional Tournament in Maryland in late July. Because of the great success of DC Grays RBI,
we launched a full fall ball schedule and a winter training program – and we are expanding for
2017. This year we will sponsor nine teams total – seven baseball and two softball – and we
expect more than 200 kids to participate in the program. DC Grays Baseball is committed to
raise all funds to pay for uniforms, equipment, fees, coaches, and transportation. DC Grays
players and coaches run skills clinics and RBI participants throughout the summer.
The Homestead Grays and Baseball in Washington
Many baseball experts agree, however, that
probably the greatest team ever to play in the
nation’s capital never played in the Major
Leagues. The great Homestead Grays of the
Negro National League were one of the finest
teams ever assembled in baseball history.
Washington, DC has a rich baseball history
that dates all the way back to the 19th
century. The first Washington Senators
played at Boundary Field beginning in
1891. Later Senators teams played at
Griffith Stadium (1911-1960) and what is
now RFK Stadium (1962-1971). The Senators
boasted some of the great players in
baseball history, including legendary Hall
of Fame pitching ace Walter Johnson and
famed slugger Frank Howard.
The Grays joined the Negro National League in
1935. With Hall of Fame sluggers Josh Gibson
and Buck Leonard and speedster Cool Papa
Bell, the Grays won nine Negro National
League championships and three Negro
League World Series titles.
Founded in Pittsburgh, the Grays adopted
Washington as its “home away from home” –
playing nearly all home games at Washington’s
Griffith Stadium, and were one of the most
successful teams in the history of black college
baseball. The DC Grays are named in honor of
the Homestead Grays and wear special
throwback uniforms to honor the Grays.
A Great Summer of DC Grays Baseball!
The DC Grays are bringing championshipquality summer college baseball to
Washington in a relaxed, family-friendly
environment. DC Grays Baseball, a 501
(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, oversees
all aspects of the team. The Grays provide
housing for all players, as well as work
opportunities and internships.
All DC Grays home games at the
Washington Nationals Youth Baseball
Academy are free and open to the public.
For schedule information, check us out
online at www.dcgrays.com. Don’t forget to
“like” us on Facebook and follow us on
Twitter. The Grays also offer live webcasts
of all home games on our website.
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Sponsoring the Grays
Your organization can help make a difference in the lives of kids across the
DC area by supporting the DC Grays. Our mission is to bring the great game of
baseball to as many young boys and girls in nation’s capital as possible.
DC GRAYS RBI – In 2016 we partnered with Major League Baseball to launch DC Grays RBI to
support baseball and softball in inner-city Washington. This year we are expanding our DC
Grays RBI program. This summer, DC Grays RBI will sponsor nine teams – seven baseball and
two softball – for kids primarily from Wards 6, 7, and 8. We will again have a full fall ball and
winter training program. We expect more than 200 kids to participate in DC Grays RBI in 2017
– and all participation is free!
FREE BASEBALL and SOFTBALL CLINICS – As we have done in years past, we will be
working with the Washington Nationals Youth Academy and with Southern District Little
League, Mamie Johnson Little League, Banneker City Little League, Ward 7 Baseball and other
area youth leagues to conduct a series youth baseball and softball clinics for under-privileged
kids from all over DC. Low-income kids from all over Washington will receive training from
Grays’ players and coaches, in a safe and secure environment.
SUPPORT for MIDDLE SCHOOL BASEBALL and SOFTBALL – In 2016 the Grays informally
“adopted” the baseball team at Sousa Middle School – providing the team with bats, gloves,
hats, practice gear and graining for coaches. This year we will also be working with KIPP
College Prep Charter School to help them establish a softball program.
Other teams in leagues like ours charge hundreds of dollars per kid for programs like these,
but we do not charge a penny. (We also don’t charge for admission or parking at our games!)
We want the DC Grays to be “ambassadors for baseball” in Washington, DC – and that means
making the great game of baseball available to all, regardless of the ability to pay.
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2016 Season Sponsorships
For more information or to inquire
Gold Glove
Sponsorsour
– $1,000
about
many sponsorship
opportunities
please contact:
 Logo
in sponsor section of Program




In-Game Sponsor “Thank You” announcement
Weekly mention on DC Grays Twitter feed
Michael
Logo on homepage
of website Barbera
Logo on DC Grays
Facebook
page
(202)
492-6226
[email protected]
Silver Slugger Sponsors – $2,500
 Gold Glove Benefits PLUS:
 Company logo on Sponsor “Thank You” Sign at Stadium
DC Grays Baseball Club
900–$5,000
19th Street, NW
MVP Clinic Sponsors
 Silver Slugger Benefits PLUS:
 Company logo on hats for kids at hosted clinic
World Series Sponsors – $10,000






Company logo on individual stadium sign
In-Game Sponsor “Thank You” announcement
Company logo on homepage of website and on Facebook page
Weekly mention on DC Grays Twitter feed
Logo in sponsor section of Program
Grays will host company employees at one home game
For more information on these or other sponsorship opportunities ,
please contact Michael Barbera (202-492-6226), Barry Direnfeld (703517-3998), or email Billy Thomas at [email protected].
Checks may be made payable to DC Grays Baseball and mailed to:
1800 M Street NW, Suite 500 South Tower, Washington, DC 20036
DC Grays Baseball is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization.