MLB CUP reaches thousands of kids in China, Korea, India
The MLB CUP includes tournaments played at various locations as well as mini-clinics, player and mascot appearances and home run derbies.
Major League Baseball (MLB) continues its drive to grow baseball around the world with the latest MLB CUP events in China, Korea and India attracting nearly 7,000 children aged from six to 15.
The MLB CUP includes tournaments played at various locations and mini-clinics instructed by MLB as well as additional programs including player and mascot appearances, and home run derbies.
MLB CUP China
The MLB CUP started in 2007 with the main purpose of promoting youth baseball in China. In 2021, the MLB CUP had two seasons, spring and fall, covering 42 game days. The MLB CUP Spring Season ran from 17 April to 1 August, while the MLB Cup Fall Season opened on 5th October and ended on 28th November due to the pandemic.
The two seasons involved over 20 stops, 380+ teams and about 6,000 players in the age ranged from six to 15. The final four games of the Spring Season Finals were streamed live on seven different platforms, generating 500,000 views.
MLB #BaseballIsLove is a new CSR initiative launched in the fall season of MLB CUP 2021 to bring fresh and fun baseball experiences to a wider group of children in need of care, so that all children can have access to and grow in the game of baseball. Through a partnership with Power Angel Baseball Organization, the MLB brought baseball classes and donated supplies to Guangzhou, Chengdu and Daliang Mountain.
MLB China also launched two successful fan campaigns during the Spring Season: Vote for your Favourite Team and vote for The Rookie of MLB CUP 2021.
MLB CUP India
The MLB CUP India involved 12 teams from seven states and 144 players aged nine to 11 and took place from 10 to 12 December at the PUSH Sports Academy facility in Gurgaon, Delhi. Dinesh Patel, the first Indian born athlete to sign with an MLB club, was an honoured guest.
Three baseball fields built on a cricket pitch will be the legacy of the MLB CUP India
MLB CUP Korea
The MLB CUP Korea involved 65 teams and 756 players aged 10 and under, with five joint-city teams also created to participate. The qualification round ran from 2 to 7 July before the championship round took place between the top 16 teams from 6 to 11 October in Jeju Island. Former national team pitcher, major leaguer and 2x World Series champion Byung Hyun Kim was in attendance for opening day as well as the championship game.
