Baseball is supposed to be America’s pastime. But let’s be honest — if you look at today’s major and minor league rosters, you’ll find them dominated by Dominican players, a heavy share of white players, and only a small handful of African-American athletes. Meanwhile, Japan is rapidly producing talent that could rival the MLB pipeline.

Gone are the eras of Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Frank Robinson — legends whose names still echo in baseball lore. For decades, we’ve heard the same explanations for why baseball has faded in the Black community:

• It’s too expensive. Gloves, bats, travel teams — all priced out. But if cost were the main factor, how does the Dominican Republic, a nation with fewer resources than America’s poorest states, still produce elite players year after year?

• Football and basketball are more popular. That’s true — but if popularity were the only barrier, why do predominantly Black high schools still field varsity and junior varsity baseball teams?

The real problem: Major League Baseball has failed to invest in and cultivate the sport in the African-American community. And in doing so, it has ignored one of its biggest untapped opportunities.

A Strategic Play: Partner MLB with HBCUs

Here’s how the game could change overnight:

1. Use HBCU Baseball Teams as the Lowest Minor League Tier

• Create a direct prep-to-pro pipeline for Black baseball players.

• Give athletes early exposure to pro-level competition.

• Boost recruitment for HBCUs with talent hungry to be scouted.

2. Leverage HBCU Conferences for Marketing & Sponsorship

• Star players draw top NIL deals. Those deals attract more sponsors to the schools.

• TV networks will follow top talent — giving HBCUs prime-time exposure and a chance to showcase academics, culture, and history.

3. Secure Local Business Partnerships for Facility Upgrades

• MLB can work with companies near HBCUs to fund stadium renovations, training equipment, and field maintenance.

• Better facilities create better players — and better game-day experiences for fans.

This isn’t just charity — it’s smart business. MLB gets a fresh talent pipeline. HBCUs gain funding, visibility, and competitive advantage. And the Black community regains its place in a sport it helped define.

The question isn’t can this be done — it’s whether MLB has the vision to step up to the plate.