As Major League Baseball’s All-Star festivities officially got underway in Philadelphia Friday night, one of the weekend’s most meaningful events took center stage. MLB and USA Baseball hosted the HBCU Swingman Classic, an annual showcase founded by Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. in 2023 that brings together 50 of the nation’s top baseball players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). More than just an exhibition, the event celebrates the rich tradition of HBCU baseball while providing student-athletes with a national platform to perform in front of professional scouts, front office executives, and fans, creating opportunities that many may not otherwise receive ahead of the MLB Draft.This year’s edition carries even greater significance as it comes to Philadelphia, a city whose history is deeply intertwined with both Black baseball and higher education.While fans will see talented players competing under the lights at Citizens Bank Park, the Swingman Classic represents something much larger than nine innings. It is a celebration of culture, opportunity, and the future of the game.The 2026 game featured two student-athletes from local HBCUs: Lincoln University, located about an hour outside of Philadelphia, and Delaware State University, located in Dover, Delaware.
