FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Baseball for All to Host Historic All-Girls Tournament at The Ripken Experience™ Aberdeen in 2021
600 Girls Fulfill Big League Dreams at the home of Big League Experiences
Baltimore, MD (April 17, 2021) – This summer, the most celebrated all-girls baseball tournament in the U.S. is coming to The Ripken Experience™ Aberdeen. Baseball for All (www.baseballforall.com), an organization that empowers girls to play baseball, will host over 50 girls’ baseball teams and nearly 600 participants ages 8–19 at their 6th annual BFA Nationals tournament from July 18 – 22, 2021 at TheRipken Experience™ Aberdeen (Maryland). Opening Ceremonies will kick things off on July 18, followed by the girls taking the field for tournament play afterwards.
“Ripken Baseball has always been a forward-thinking, inclusive organization that looks to expand the game. The facilities at The Ripken Experience™ are world-class and working with them is a perfect fit for Baseball For All, the leading national organization empowering girls through baseball,” said Justine Siegal, founder of Baseball For All.
For an organization whose mission is to encourage young girls to follow their Big-League dreams, it made sense to host this year’s tournament at a facility that promises “Big-League Experiences.” At the Baseball for All Nationals Tournament, every girl will hear her name announced and walk-up music played as she approaches the plate at some of the most iconic Major League replica fields.
“Our goal is to empower ballplayers, both boys and girls, to be the best they can be on and off the field. It’s about sharing in the fun, love, and memories of the game we all make when we step out onto the field,” said Michael Kenney, Executive Vice President of Ripken Baseball.
Baseball For All began when founder Justine Siegal was told at 13 years old that she couldn’t play because she was a girl. Instead of feeling discouraged, this sentiment fueled her passion for the game even more, pushing her to grow up and become the first woman to coach professional men’s baseball (Brockton Rox, 2009)—and the first female to coach for a Major League Baseball Organization (Oakland A’s, 2015, Instructional League). With this momentum, Siegal deepened her commitment to girls baseball, providing more opportunities for girls to play, coach, and lead in baseball. To learn more about Baseball for All Nationals or to join a team, visit baseballforall.com/nationals.
About Baseball for All:
Baseball For All is a 501(c)3 national nonprofit building gender equity in baseball by providing girls across America opportunities to play, coach, and lead. Featured in hundreds of media outlets including Newsweek, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, MLB.com, and the New York Times, Baseball for All is the definitive resource for media looking for answers and thoughts on girls and women playing baseball.
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Media Contact:
Lena Park