Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri

Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities

Kids and baseball – it's a natural fit. That's why the partnership between Major League Baseball® and Boys & Girls Clubs of America is such a winning combination. Since MLB™ designated BGCA as its official charity in 1997, this highly successful relationship has given countless children the chance to realize their dreams both on and off the field.

MLB's commitment to kids and BGCA is deep and far-reaching. From high-impact programs introducing kids to baseball, to national awareness campaigns, to once-in-a-lifetime experiences for Club members, the multi-faceted partnership has positively impacted the entire Boys & Girls Club Movement.

Through a joint effort by the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri and the West Central Missouri Baseball Association (formerly known as Sedalia Little League), baseball opportunities were made available and affordable to all youth in the area. In 2009, over 625 youth participated in summer ball which incorporated SportSMART, a special life skills curriculum adapted from BGCA's SMART Moves program, to teach young players about responsible behavior and decision-making. In July, two teams of All Stars traveled to Minneapolis to participate in the Central Regional Tournament, competing against teams from Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Beloit, Chicago, Milwaukee and Seattle. What a tremendous experience for our athletes!

A key reason for the program’s success is the deep, personal connection so many big leaguers have with Boys & Girls Clubs. Club alumni include past greats like Joe DiMaggio, Frank Robinson, Joe Morgan, Brooks Robinson, and Harold Reynolds and current stars such as Alex Rodriguez, Dontrelle Willis, David Ortiz, Ryan Howard and Dan Haren. Others like Hank Aaron, Cal Ripken Jr. and Ken Griffey Jr., actively support the national organization.

RBI is also sponsored by KPMG.