Major League Baseball recently entered into two critical youth baseball and softball partnerships with EL1 Sports (EL1) and Diamond Kinetics (DK) that aim to increase accessibility to sports training, support diversity-focused grassroots and development programs, and enhance skills through an engaging digital experience.

EL1, as a new Youth Baseball and Softball Training Partner of MLB, will expand access to instruction for players of all skill levels and socioeconomic backgrounds. The multi-year partnership will allow EL1 and MLB Clubs to establish or expand training academies within their markets.

Additionally, EL1 will offer support for community or Club-run baseball and softball programs, at all levels, with administrative support and training regimens that complement existing coaching systems.

The EL1 partnership includes a component that will create an ongoing source of funding for grassroots programs such as Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI), event-based connections with underserved communities through PLAY BALL, and support the growth of the sport in diverse communities across the United States.

EL1 currently operates nine indoor training facilities in Washington, Hawaii, Pennsylvania and California, including the three Los Angeles Dodgers Training Academies. EL1 also provides instruction and administrative support for nearly 200 teams, including the Dodgers Dreamteam (formerly Dodgers RBI) program, and hosts hundreds of camps, clinics and tournaments nationwide serving tens of thousands of ballplayers.

Diamond Kinetics, as a new Trusted Youth Development Platform of MLB, will emphasize making player development fun for kids by offering a digital gamification environment through their hitting and throwing technology.

Beginning this summer, youth players can utilize the DK bat sensor technology and smart baseballs alongside their mobile apps where they can earn achievements, challenge themselves, compete with friends, and track improvement - all the while interacting with MLB Clubs, game content, Statcast data, and other partners (e.g., USA Baseball, EL1 and USA Softball) through MLB-themed digital experiences.

MLB will utilize DK tech integration with key initiatives such as PLAY BALL, RBI, and local Club community programs.

DK will also expand partnerships across multiple youth baseball and softball community programs in U.S. These partnerships come on the heels of MOJO Sport recently becoming the “Trusted Grassroots Coaching App” of Major League Baseball, providing parents and leagues with fun, user-friendly youth baseball and softball training and technology in preparation for their 2022 seasons.