Virginia State University’s baseball team will help kick off a new elementary school baseball league organized by Richmond Public Schools (RPS) and set to debut in spring 2026.

The league will include eight RPS elementary schools and is part of a larger initiative to introduce baseball to younger students. Clinics to promote the league will begin Monday, Aug. 18, and run through Thursday, Aug. 21, at three schools: Fairfield Court, Cardinal and Oak Grove-Bellemeade. Each session will run from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. 

Dr. Stefanie Ramsey, RPS coordinator of K-12 athletics and activities, is leading the effort. She said the league is aimed at building interest early while connecting academics and athletics. 

“We want to get the kids excited about the new league coming this spring,” Ramsey said. “We also plan to provide the kids with a baseball-related book, as we always stress academics along with athletics.” 

The clinics will feature support from the Trojans baseball team, whose head coach, Merrill Morgan, agreed to participate after being approached during a recruitment visit in Richmond. 

“Our students get back on campus on Monday, Aug. 18,” Morgan said. “Once they get settled in, my players who don’t have classes during that time will be in Richmond to help work the clinic. The youth in our communities are the future of the game — count us in.” 

The league is being developed with support from the SOLE (Sports, Opportunities, Literacy and Enrichment) program, along with Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and the Spirit of Baseball organization, led by Larry Belcher. 

Belcher, also director of innovative partnerships at Virginia Wesleyan University Global Campus, is helping coordinate resources, including a $44,000 IMPACT STEM scholarship for a qualifying RPS senior through VWU. 

The Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (MJBL), which launched SOLE in 2007, will lead the kick-off clinics. MJBL Central Virginia Commissioner Micah Crumm will bring high school-age players from MJBL’s summer league to assist. 

“I was excited to hear that we will now be able to introduce baseball to our youth at an early age,” Crumm said. “I can’t think of a better way to do it than through our public school system.” 

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Alumni Association have also pledged support for the spring launch of the league. For more information, contact Larry Barber at (336) 379-7219.