After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Little League® Urban Initiative Jamborees are returning in 2022 with six events being held across the United States this summer.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring back the majority of these annual events this summer and provide opportunities for players from underserved communities to get out on the field and enjoy the game of baseball and softball,” said Demiko Ervin, Little League Director of the Urban Initiative. “We know how important these games are for our Urban Initiative leagues, as well as the memories that these events provide to kids each summer, and we look forward to bringing that experience back once again in 2022.”
Inspired by the Little League World Series, the Little League Urban Initiative Jamboree was first established in 2004 with one national tournament and in 2010 was expanded to region-based events. At these Jamborees, teams compete in a weekend-long tournament with the championship game typically being played on Sunday afternoon. Jamboree participants also have other opportunities to interact with fellow players and the community through events, which often times include involvement with nearby Major League Baseball teams.
Below are the dates and locations for the 2022 Little League Urban Initiative Jamborees:
- April 22-24: Southern California Jamboree (National City, Calif.)
- April 29 to May 1: Florida State Jamboree (Clearwater, Fla.)
- May 13-15: East Region Softball Jamboree (Washington, D.C.)
- May 20-22: Texas State Jamboree (Houston, Texas)
- June 3-5: New York Metro Jamboree (Bronx, N.Y.)
- June 24-26: Central Region Jamboree (Milwaukee, Wis.)
- NOTE: The Northern California Softball Jamboree and Georgia State Jamboree will not be held in 2022.
Established in 1999 to provide opportunities for communities in underserved communities to reap the benefits of having local Little League programs in their neighborhoods, the Little League Urban Initiative has helped tens of thousands of children and volunteers in cities throughout the United States. These Jamborees are unique events to bring players from local programs that benefit from the support of the Urban Initiative together for a weekend of comradery and competition.
To learn more about how to get involved in one of these events, or to start an Urban Initiative program in your community, please contact Mr. Ervin at [email protected].