About Us

Building a Legacy of Character and Community Through Baseball and Softball

Since 1996, Indy RBI has been the exclusive Indianapolis affiliate of Major League Baseball’s RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) initiative. Over 25,000 boys and girls ages 3-18 have played in Indy RBI, Central Indiana’s premier urban baseball and softball program.

Our Roots: A Story of Dedication

Indy RBI’s story began in 1981 when local attorney Milt Thompson and his friend Jim Young created the Indiana Amateur Baseball Association (IABA), a summer high school program to give inner-city youth opportunities to play baseball. In 1996, Thompson hired Mike Lennox as executive director, who partnered with MLB’s new RBI initiative.

By the late 1990s, Indy RBI supported over 500 teams and more than 5,000 players across Central Indiana. However, participation in inner-city areas and girls’ softball declined. In response, IABA became Play Ball Indiana (PBI) in the early 2000s and focused solely on urban baseball and softball, boosting participation to nearly 2,000 players annually.

Partnerships that Strengthen Community

PBI partnered with Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and Indy Parks to expand access to baseball and softball. PBI managed IPS middle and elementary school leagues, supported high school teams, and worked with Indy Parks to renovate parks like Forest Manor Park into safe playing spaces.

Overcoming Challenges and New Beginnings

Despite challenges in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Indy RBI adapted and safely hosted over 1,300 players. That year, Play Ball Indiana officially rebranded as Indy RBI.

Today, Indy RBI offers Jr. RBI leagues (ages 3-12), competitive Sunday Showcase leagues, seasonal leagues, and the Indy RBI Winter Academy. It also hosts MLB’s Pitch Hit & Run competition and the Jr. Home Run Derby, with most activities held at parks and schools throughout Indianapolis.

A Path to the Big Stage

With MLB’s support, players ages 13-18 compete in RBI Regional Tournaments for the chance to play on college or MLB fields and earn a spot in the RBI World Series in Vero Beach, Florida. In 2021, Indy RBI’s junior baseball team (ages 13-15) became the city’s fifth World Series qualifier and first since 2007.

Our Mission and Vision for the Future

Our goal is to engage 2,500 youth each year in baseball and softball. We remain dedicated to building character, fostering responsible behavior, enhancing skills, promoting healthy competition and teamwork, and upholding the values of honesty, fairness, integrity, inclusion, and excellence.

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We are Indy RBI. Let’s play ball!