Cleveland Guardians Charities announce Play Ball! CLE leagues for 2025 season

By | May 1, 2025

Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Guardians Charities today announced the 12 Northeast Ohio leagues participating in Play Ball! CLE for the 2025 season. Play Ball! CLE is an initiative of Cleveland Guardians Charities that provides financial support and educational resources strictly to underserved baseball, softball and adaptive organizations throughout Northeast Ohio. Cleveland-Cliffs continues its support as the presenting partner of Play Ball! CLE.

We are incredibly grateful and humbled by the support from the Cleveland Guardians and Play Ball CLE,” said Tanisha Velez, Director of the Roberto Clemente League. “As we celebrate our third year serving Cleveland youth ages 3–23, we are proud that 93% of our players identify as Latino/a, reflecting the heart of our community. With the funding we receive, we not only help cover registration costs for families who need it, but we also invest in expanding our league with quality uniforms and new equipment. Beyond baseball and softball, our mission is to rebuild community togetherness at Roberto Clemente Park. The Guardians and Play Ball CLE have helped us accelerate our mission. We are also proud to advocate for safer, more playable diamonds — not just for our league, but for high school athletes across Cleveland. We look forward to continuing to build stronger, healthier, and more united communities through this work.”

Youth baseball and softball leagues are eligible to receive Play Ball! CLE grants and other resources after making a commitment to providing access and opportunity for youth of all ages, regardless of background, demographic and accessibility needs.

The Guardians are proud to have All-Star Closer Emmanuel Clase as an ambassador for this program. “Ever since I first picked up a glove, my dream was to make it to the big leagues. Baseball gave me that path, and now I’m proud to help bring this program to kids right here in Cleveland — so they can chase their dreams just like I did,” said Clase, the club’s all-time saves leader.

In addition to Clase, many Guardians players such as Gavin Williams, Lane Thomas, Cade Smith, Bo Naylor, Gabriel Arias, Shane Bieber, José Ramírez and coaching staff members Stephen Vogt, Kai Correa, and Craig Albernaz will contribute to Cleveland Guardians Charities and/or serve as Guardians Youth Baseball and Softball Ambassadors with a goal of connecting and supporting the diverse group of young athletes involved in all of the Guardians youth baseball and softball programs.

The partnership between Cleveland Guardians Charities and local youth leagues involves an astounding list of benefits to increase representation and grow baseball and softball in marginalized and underrepresented communities. Through this program, Cleveland Guardians Charities provides exclusive access to the Guardians brand, with limited use of team logos and recognition on the Cleveland Guardians website and social media platforms. Leagues will have the opportunity to enjoy unmatched educational programing in conjunction with MLB and club affiliated partners such as USA Baseball, Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society and the Positive Coaching Alliance. Additionally, Play Ball! CLE leagues will be invited to Progressive Field home games and exclusive events.

Parents or guardians interested in getting their child involved with a Play Ball! CLE league are encouraged to visit the official Play Ball! CLE website to find a league nearby at: https://www.mlb.com/guardians/community/playballcle

2025 Play Ball! CLE Affiliate T-Ball, Baseball and Softball Leagues:

2025 Play Ball! CLE Adaptive Leagues:

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