Teams 
The Detroit Tigers organization believes strongly in the need to invest in our community's future. In 2008 the Tigers launched Play Baseball Detroit. Through the generosity of Tigers players in partnership with the Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, Play Baseball Detroit is a comprehensive youth baseball/softball program dedicated to strengthening and expanding youth baseball/softball programs in the greater Detroit region. The multi-faceted program features an equipment collection, in-school programming, community clinics, T-ball league, an on-line registration and reward program for area Teams, and a competitive year-end tournament that crowns the t-ball, youth baseball/softball champions of greater Detroit.
Thousands of young T-ball, baseball/softball players in the greater Detroit region participate in Team Tigers, a free on-line registration and reward program that provides new and growing youth baseball teams resources to help have a successful season.
Attention coaches! Join "Team Tigers" and help your baseball or softball team receive Team Tigers Wristband, resource manual provided by the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, award nomination form, and the opportunity to apply for youth baseball/softball equipment, Major League Coaching instruction, and complimentary Tigers tickets!
Play Baseball Detroit Day Photo Gallery »
The youngest members of Play Baseball Detroit are the Tiny Tigers. Tiny Tigers is a tee ball, junior baseball, and softball program in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan for over 500 children ages 6-14.
Since its inception, the Tiny Tigers program has evolved from one location hosting T-ball for children ages 6-10 to five locations including T-ball, Softball, and Jr. Baseball programs for children age 6 - 14. The program is primarily non-competitive and focuses on fun and sportsmanship. Tiny Tigers has helped build the confidence of players to hit the ball as well as field ground balls, run down fly balls and throw with greater accuracy.
Tiny Tigers Photo Gallery »
At a time when health studies indicate that physical activity among young children is on the decline, the Detroit Tigers are working to put children on the path to a healthy future by promoting the game of baseball and encouraging students to join a Detroit area summer baseball/softball program.
Baseball FUNdamentals is the educational arm of "Play Baseball Detroit" that combines interactive Middle School Rallies, School Skills Clinics, and Community Clinics designed to create excitement and teach the fundamentals of the game.
In 2011 a Middle School Rally took place at Fitzgerald-Bethune school in Detroit. Dedicated to creating excitement for Tigers baseball and youth baseball the Middle School Rally was filled with high energy games, music, and videos. During the Rally, All-Star Jose Valverde, and members of the front office joined Tigers mascot PAWS and the DTE Energy Squad visiting over 370 school students' grades 5 - 8.
In 2011, as part of the Baseball FUNdamentals School Skills Clinics, members of the Tigers staff and members of the Detroit baseball community taught gym class at 22 select elementary schools in greater Detroit region.
In addition to a day of instruction, each school received a Baseball FUNdamentals Starter Kit including bats, balls, gloves, drop down bases, and a batting tee to allow each physical education instructor to integrate baseball/softball into the schools curriculum.
School Skills Clinics Photo Gallery »
Community Clinic Photo Gallery »
2011 marked the 15th year of the Detroit Tigers Hometown Championship (formally known as the Hometown World Series). A four-day baseball/softball tournament, the Detroit Tigers Hometown Championship is funded by the Detroit Tigers Foundation for Detroit area youth ages 6-19 in partnership with the Youth Development Commission and the City of Detroit, Parks and Recreation Department. The Championship seeks to showcase the most talented in youth baseball/softball teams in the greater Detroit community.
The 2011 Championship included an Opening Ceremony, parade of teams, National Anthem, Boy Scouts of America Color Guard and a ceremonial first pitch thrown by Detroit Tigers All-Star Shortstop Jhonny Peralta. In addition, the Championship included a Pitch, Hit, and Run Competition and Community Fun Day with face painting, bounce houses and arts and crafts.
2011 Winners of the Detroit Tigers Hometown Championship included:
TV20 Good Sportsmanship Award: 12 and Under Blue Jays
Detroit Tigers Hometown Championship photo gallery »
"Willie Horton's Batting for Kids" is a youth baseball clinic at Comerica Park that focuses on introducing youth age 5 - 15 to the game of baseball. The clinic is hosted in partnership with Don Bosco Hall, a private non-profit agency, that provides supportive human services to enhance the quality of life for youth, and their families residing in the Metropolitan Detroit-Wayne County Community.
In 2011, through "Willie Horton's Batting for Kids" over 400 children had the opportunity to run the bases that Major League players run, hit in the batting cages where Major League players take batting practice, and receive baseball tips on the field where Major League players play.
Each youth participant received an event t-shirt, a baseball souvenir, breakfast provided by McDonalds, and lunch provided by Ball Park Brands, Pepsi, and Frito Lay. Through "Willie Horton's Batting for Kids" participants develop an increased perception of self-worth as well as an increased commitment to education and achievement.
More than 100 volunteers were on hand to assist in the activities. Volunteer organizations included members of the Detroit Division of the F.B.I., McDonalds, Wayne State University Baseball team, the Detroit Medical Center and Medical Weight Loss Clinic.
Funded in part by the Detroit Tigers Foundation since 2008, "Willie Horton's Batting for Kids" has introduced the game of baseball to over 1,600 youth.
Willie Horton's Batting for Kids Photo Gallery »
The Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids provides youth with special needs the opportunity to learn and play the game of baseball. Similar to major league fantasy camps and clinics, the program gives youngsters with physical challenges the opportunity to improve their baseball skills by receiving instructions and tips from the pros.
Hosted in partnership with the Detroit Tigers Foundation and the Miracle League of Michigan, the Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids helped create memories that the participants and their parents will never forget.
Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids Photo Gallery »
Gloves for Kids is a community-based program designed to provide area youth with the sporting equipment necessary to participate in organized baseball/softball programs. Gloves for Kids includes an equipment collection day at Comerica Park as well as player appearances in which Tigers players visit ABC Warehouse locations in the metro area to sign autographs for fans in exchange for new or gently used baseball/softball equipment and monetary donations. Equipment collected during the Gloves for Kids campaign is donated to deserving youth teams in the greater Detroit community that are registered members of Team Tigers.
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. The mission of BTF is to promote and enhance the growth of youth participation in baseball and softball throughout the world by funding programs, fields, coaches' training, and the purchase of uniforms and equipment to encourage and maintain youth participation in the game.
The 2011 recipient of the Gloves for Kids/BTF campaign was Southfield Youth Baseball. Southfield Youth Baseball is an organization dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of baseball to youth age 5 - 12. Their mission is to provide youth from the Metro-Detroit area an opportunity to learn skills, experience personal achievement and practice good sportsmanship and teamwork.
As the 2011 recipient, Southfield Youth Baseball received a $3,000 gift from the Detroit Tigers Foundation (resulting from the donations collected at the ABC Warehouse collections) as well as $5,000 grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund to purchase equipment.
Since 2008, over 3,000 pieces of equipment valued at nearly $60,000 has been collected through Gloves for Kids.
