MLB to Sponsor USA Softball National Team’s Tour
The deal will cover more than 35 events and include training grounds for the U.S. team
Posted On: January 23, 2020 By :Major League Baseball will become the official presenting sponsor of the training tour for the women’s national softball team that will represent the United States at the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo.
The team’s Stand Beside Her tour will be held in more than 35 cities from February to June, leading up to the Games. As part of the sponsorship, MLB will work with USA Softball in select cities to host “Play Ball” events, the league’s signature youth engagement program. At each event, the MLB logo will be featured on Team USA’s uniforms and on signage promoting the appearances.
Also as part of the agreement, the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida, will become the official training facility of the women’s national team.
“Major League Baseball is proud to support the women’s national softball team and these world-class athletes on their journey to becoming Olympians,” said Tony Reagins, MLB’s executive vice president of baseball development, Major League Baseball. “The players on Team USA share our commitment to growing softball, and we look forward to joining them as they inspire young women to play the sport. Representing your country on any international platform is an honor, but doing so on the Olympic stage is the pinnacle. We are thrilled to be along for their incredible ride.”
“USA Softball is extremely grateful for the support of Major League Baseball,” said USA Softball CEO Craig Cress. “We’ve had a strong relationship with MLB since 2015 when we joined the ‘Play Ball’ initiative, and their commitment shown not only to our Women’s National Team athletes, but also for grass-roots development, is simply unmatched. The partnership and support of MLB provides members of the 2020 women’s national team with access to support staff and resources they need to stand atop the podium and bring the gold back to the United States.”
Softball will be played at the Olympic Summer Games for the first time since 2008.
The schedule for the “Stand Beside Her” Tour (subject to change):
- 2/4: vs USF – Tampa, FL
- 2/7-9: NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic – Clearwater, FL
- 2/11: vs Florida – Gainesville, FL
- 2/12 & 2/16, 2020: St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational – Clearwater, FL
- 2/18: vs Arizona – Tucson, AZ
- 2/20-23: Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic – Cathedral City, CA
- 3/8: vs Cal State San Marcos and UC San Diego – Irvine, CA
- 3/10: vs CSUN and San Diego State – San Diego, CA
- 3/12: vs Washington – Seattle, WA
- 3/17: vs Portland State and Oregon State – Hillsboro, OR
- 3/18: vs Southern Oregon and Oregon – Eugene, OR
- 3/31: vs Alabama – Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4/1: vs Auburn – Auburn, AL
- 4/3: South Commons Softball Complex – Columbus, GA
- 4/5: Twin Creeks Softball Complex – Woodstock, GA
- 4/7: Jim Frost Stadium at Warner Park – Chattanooga, TN
- 4/8: vs Tennessee – Knoxville, TN
- 4/15: vs LA Tech and Louisiana-Monroe – Shreveport, LA
- 4/18: Constellation Field – Sugar Land, TX
- 4/21-23: vs Oklahoma Christian, North Texas, Abilene Christian and Texas Woman’s University – Dallas, TX
- 4/25: vs Lubbock Christian – Midland, TX
- 5/1: Kansas City Royals MLB Urban Youth Academy – Kansas City, MO
- 5/3: CarShield Field – St. Louis, MO
- 5/17: Sutter Health Park – Sacramento, CA
- 5/30: TVA Credit Union Ballpark – Johnson City, TN
- 6/3: Killian Softball Stadium – Springfield, MO
- 6/7: Brookside Park – Ashland, OH
- 6/9: Dow Diamond – Midland, MI
- 6/10: Secchia Stadium – East Lansing, MI
- 6/18: Martin Field – Lowell, MA
- 6/19: vs Stratford Brakettes – Stratford, CT
- 6/21: Wall Township Municipal Complex – Wall Township, NJ
- 6/23: Cal Seniors Park – The Ripken Experience – Aberdeen, MD
- 6/25: vs Salem All-Stars – Salem, VA