Phillies' RBI Program Faces Diversity Challenges in Philadelphia

Youth baseball outreach program struggles to reach underserved neighborhoods

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Phillies' 'Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities' (RBI) program, intended to provide access to baseball and softball for underserved youth, currently serves over 6,000 children across Philadelphia. However, the distribution of teams is uneven, with approximately two-thirds located in Northeast Philadelphia and only a dozen in North or West Philadelphia, areas with the city's highest concentrations of Black residents. Coaches in North Philadelphia acknowledge the benefits of RBI, but emphasize the need for more holistic support beyond just equipment, including assistance with field maintenance, insurance, background checks, and program management.

Why it matters

The disparity in RBI program distribution reflects a broader issue of unequal access to youth sports based on neighborhood demographics in Philadelphia. This self-perpetuating cycle reinforces existing inequalities and highlights the need for a more targeted approach to introducing and supporting baseball in underserved communities.

The details

The Phillies' RBI program, which has expanded nationally, serves over 6,000 children in Philadelphia. However, a significant portion - approximately two-thirds - of the nearly 200 teams across 35 programs are located in Northeast Philadelphia. Only a dozen teams operate in North or West Philadelphia, areas with the city's highest concentrations of Black residents. Coaches in North Philadelphia acknowledge the benefits of RBI, such as free equipment and clinics, but emphasize that these resources are most effective for teams that already have a solid base. Recruiting enough players is a constant struggle, hampered by economic inequality, limited parental involvement, and a lack of early exposure to the sport.

  • In 1989, John Young, a baseball scout, recognized a troubling trend: dwindling representation of Black and Latino players in youth baseball.
  • The Phillies' RBI program currently serves over 6,000 children across Philadelphia.

The players

John Young

A baseball scout who recognized the dwindling representation of Black and Latino players in youth baseball in 1989 and founded the 'Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities' (RBI) program.

Dave Fisher

Runs Tioga United Baseball and notes the difference between programs in North Philadelphia, which focus on providing opportunities for at-risk youth, and those in the Northeast, which aim to 'evaluate and elevate' existing talent.

David Lisby

Coached the North Philly Camelots and withdrew from the RBI program after six years due to dwindling player numbers, managing to recruit only 15 children across three age brackets for a single team in his final season.

Amos Huron

Executive director of the Anderson Monarchs, who points out that RBI's focus is on areas where baseball is already established, rather than actively introducing the sport to new communities.

Josh Throckmorton

With Give and Go Athletics, emphasizes the value of administrative support, stating that assistance with registration and program management could be 'huge' for smaller programs.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

A new RBI subleague, formed by teams in North and West Philadelphia and supported by the Phillies, demonstrates the potential of a targeted approach, successfully attracting families and providing a positive experience for young players. This spring, league organizers are seeking to double the number of teams and serve an additional 100 or more children between the ages of 6 and 9.

The takeaway

The uneven distribution of RBI teams in Philadelphia highlights the need for a more equitable and targeted approach to introducing and supporting youth baseball programs in underserved communities. Providing holistic support beyond just equipment, such as administrative assistance and field maintenance, could be crucial in ensuring all children have access to the benefits of organized sports.