Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI)

Jr. RBI Facts

Jr. RBI logo
MISSION:

Jr. RBI is designed to create new playing divisions that provide baseball and softball opportunities for children ages 5-12 that also serve as a feeder to the current RBI 13-18 baseball and softball divisions.

DIVISION LEVEL STRUCTURE

There are three recommended divisions of play for Jr. RBI (based on league participation numbers): 5-7, 8-10, and 11-12. Each playing level has its own set of playing rules designed to develop young players.

RULES

Jr. RBI playing rules are designed to focus on FUNdamentals to create a positive experience for players and parents.

BY THE NUMBERS

In 2011 there were over 120 leagues and 90,000 participants participating in the Jr. RBI divisions.

SAFETY

Player safety is another priority for Jr. RBI. For baseball programs, playing rules highlight the importance of protecting pitchers' arms; a pitch count is utilized in order to accurately track the stress on young players' developing bodies. For softball programs, playing rules highlight the introduction to the game at the earliest ages.

MORE

Other key components of Jr. RBI include:

  • 60-foot diamond and 46-foot pitching distance for baseball
  • 60-foot diamond and 35-foot pitching distance (10-and-under)/40-ft pitching distance (12-and-under) for softball
  • Transition from an 11" (10-and-under) to 12" (12-and-under) ball for softball
  • Mandatory play
  • All players are assigned to a team
    • HOW YOU CAN HELP

    Assistance may be provided in the areas of equipment acquisition, training and education clinics and resources, and capital improvement projects.