Things are underway at Citizens Bank Park as the HBCU Swingman Classic kicks off the 2026 MLB All-Star festivities. The next generation of baseball talent takes center stage under the lights in Philadelphia. The HBCU Swingman Classic is an annual showcase featuring 50 of the top NCAA Division I HBCU baseball players from across the country. Created in 2023, the event is held during MLB All-Star Week and gives HBCU athletes an opportunity to perform on one of baseball’s biggest stages in front of MLB scouts, executives, fans, and a national television audiences. Ken Griffey Jr. is the founder and driving force behind the event. Griffey wanted to create an opportunity for talented players who may not attend large Power Four baseball programs but possess professional-level ability. His inspiration came from his family’s longstanding commitment to growing baseball opportunities for underserved communities, continuing work that began with his father COMMENT DOWN BELOW Full coverage on ...