The Major League Baseball (MLB) First Pitch programme uses the sport of baseball as a tool to get young people interested in and engaged in physical activity. All schools are provided with fun and inclusive resources to help spark an interest in physical activity and sport through learning how to play baseball and developing basic skills. MLB First Pitch is delivered by the Youth Sport Trust in partnership with MLB and BaseballSoftballUK, the national governing body for baseball and softball.

In 2025, 272 schools engaged with MLB First Pitch, involving over 13,000 young people.

The programme delivered a range of benefits for the young people taking part, including:

• 89% improved their enjoyment of sport and physical activity
• 86% improved their happiness
• 84% improved their confidence to take part in sport and physical activity
• 79% improved their resilience
• 77% improved their connectedness to others

On the right-hand side, you can download a summary of the evaluation report which includes stories of impact from schools. You can also download a case study from a special school in London which demonstrates the inclusive nature of the programme in more detail.

For more information, please email: [email protected]