5th Annual National Urban BASEball Classic in Boston Kick Off Event

5th Annual National Urban BASEball Classic in Boston Kicks-off with

Lewis Family Foundation Building Naming & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony,

Officially Opening The BASE National Headquarters in Roxbury, MA

Athletics meet academics during urban baseball and softball tournaments, MIT Science of Baseball Talk,

College & Career Fair, and more

Boston, MA, July 18, 2019 – For five days beginning Wednesday, July 31, the Commonwealth’s political, corporate and community leadership will celebrate and cheer on more than 400 diverse student-athletes from across the country participating in the 5th Annual National Urban BASEball Classic in Boston, a multi-faceted event created by The BASE, a Roxbury-based nonprofit that is re-imaging pathways to success for urban youth.

“The past six months have been the most exciting and transformational in our six-year history, and this week’s National Urban BASEball Classic in Boston, which begins with the official grand opening of the new BASE national headquarters, is a fitting exclamation point,” said Robert Lewis, Jr., Founder and CEO, The BASE. “During our national tournament, we will witness the extraordinary talent of hundreds of urban youth – male and female – who are proving that student-athletes who are equally committed to their education gain the competitive edge. The BASE is proud to provide a national platform for these students to showcase their competitive skills in front of their peers, Boston’s diverse leadership, and the country.”

The BASE’s new national headquarters was made possible by funding provided by The Lewis Family Foundation. Alan and Harriet Lewis will officially open the new BASE HQ during the Building Naming and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday, July 31 at 5:30pm. In addition to the Lewis family, guests invited to attend the ceremony, which will also feature the traditional ‘first pitch,’ include Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Attorney General Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross, Boston City Council President Andrea Campbell, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius, Boston Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy, and Newmarket Business Association Executive Director Susan Sullivan.

The National Urban BASEball Classic in Boston is the largest of the five Urban Classic tournaments, which showcase the very best in urban high school baseball and softball. The other Urban Classic host cities are Chicago, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and New York.  The 15- to 18-year-old male and female student-athletes competing in Boston will represent baseball and softball teams from numerous cities across the country, including Birmingham (AL), Boston (MA), Bronx (NY), Brooklyn (NY), Chicago (IL), Detroit (MI), Indianapolis (IN), Manhattan (NY), Pittsburgh (PA), Providence (RI), Queens (NY), and Westchester (NY).

The competitive action taking place during the National Urban BASEball Classic in Boston kicks-off on Thursday, August 1 and runs through Sunday, August 4.  Other event activities include the MIT Science of Baseball Talk with Dr. Colin “Topper” Carew, and the College & Career Fair with more than 30 companies and colleges scheduled to participate.

The BASE appreciates its vast network of friends, supporters and sponsors. They include Governor Baker, Mayor Walsh, the Lewis Family Foundation, AT&T, the Boston Foundation, the Boston Red Sox, the Foundation To Be Named Later, Franklin Sports, New Balance, Newmarket Business Association, UMass Boston, and many others. For more information, please visit The BASE and follow The BASE on Instagram, Twitter and connect with The BASE on Facebook.