PITTSBURGH — Some of Pittsburgh’s youngest athletes are getting the chance of a lifetime: stepping onto the same field where the Pirates play and competing for a championship in front of family, friends, and their communities.
The City of Pittsburgh’s CitiSports Program and the Pittsburgh Pirates are bringing the annual Nike RBI Mayor’s Cup Championship back to PNC Park, giving youth baseball and softball players the opportunity to experience championship moments on a Major League field.
The three-day event begins Thursday, July 30, with boys’ baseball championship games, followed by girls’ softball championships on Monday, August 3, and additional boys’ championship games on Tuesday, August 4.
For many players, the experience is about more than winning a trophy. It is about confidence, teamwork, discipline, and seeing themselves as athletes with a future in the game.
“These young athletes have worked hard all season and will have an unforgettable experience playing on the home field of the Pittsburgh Pirates.”— Mayor Corey O’Connor
Building the Next Generation of Players
The Nike RBI program — Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities — was created by Major League Baseball to increase participation and diversity in baseball and softball, especially among young people from underserved and underrepresented communities. In Pittsburgh, the program is creating access for children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play organized sports.
Through the partnership between the Pirates, Pirates Charities, and Pittsburgh’s CitiSports organization, the program reaches:
The program helps remove barriers that often keep children from participating by providing resources such as uniforms, equipment, and support for league costs. For families, that means more children can get on the field, stay active, and build connections through sports.
A young pitcher takes the mound as part of the Pirates RBI program.
More Than a Game
Youth sports provide benefits that extend far beyond the scoreboard. Programs like Pirates RBI help young athletes develop:
For some athletes, the program can also open doors beyond the playing field. The MLB RBI initiative offers scholarship opportunities for eligible student-athletes who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and financial need.
Championship-level competition at the Mayor’s Cup brings out the best in Pittsburgh’s young athletes.
Championship Week at PNC Park
This year marks an expansion of the Mayor’s Cup schedule. Previously held over two days, the championship is now spread across three days to allow more RBI division finalists the opportunity to play at PNC Park.
The matchups feature teams from communities across the region, including:
Families and community members are invited to attend the games for free. Parking is also available at no cost in Red Lots 7A and 7C.
Teams from more than 20 Pittsburgh-area communities take part in Pirates RBI each season.
Keeping Pittsburgh Kids in the Game
In a time when many families are looking for affordable ways to keep children active, programs like Pirates RBI provide more than recreation — they create opportunities. A child stepping onto the field at PNC Park may see a championship moment today, but the lessons learned — teamwork, perseverance, and confidence — can last a lifetime.
For Pittsburgh’s young athletes, the road to the big leagues starts with a chance to play.
Youth Sports Matter: Building Champions On and Off the Field
From baseball diamonds to basketball courts and soccer fields, Pittsburgh youth sports programs are helping young people develop confidence, friendships, and leadership skills while keeping them active and connected to their communities. The Nike RBI Mayor’s Cup is another example of how access and opportunity can change the trajectory of young athletes.