Phillies, MLB leadership emphasize need for 2026 All-Star Game to invest in youth baseball, North Philadelphia

Next year, for the first time since 1996, Philadelphia is set to host the MLB All-Star Game, which begs the question: How can communities – particularly youth baseball programs and neighborhoods in North Philadelphia – benefit? 

Temple’s Klein College of Media and Communication hosted a “Dialogue on the Diamond” event Wednesday night to answer that question, bringing together prominent voices from the MLB, the Phillies and Philadelphia to explore how the 2026 All-Star Game can leave a lasting impact on youth baseball and community investment in North Philadelphia.

Mike Barsotti, director of youth sports at Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, said that from the city's perspective, long-term change comes down to “four Ps.”

“People, places, programs and promotion,” said Barsotti. “It’s finding great instructors and investing in them and making sure they can reach more kids at an affordable price rate … (and) making sure diamonds are improved but then maintained year-over-year. That’s not a one-time fix but, rather, consistent funding to make sure each year the diamond is freshened up and ready for another great season.”

He added that youth sports programs and widespread outreach are also needed to bridge the gap when it comes to not only finding coaches but also getting kids access to a field or team. 

“(It’s about) when signups begin, making sure kids know this is the time, parents know this is the time when you need to get on those rosters,” Barsotti said. 

Del Matthews, senior vice president of baseball development with MLB, noted that the league and teams have developed local leagues, including the Phillies Jr. RBI League program, which began in 1989. He added that whether it’s alongside the team or the league, the city can explore opportunities to partner with existing youth baseball programs and leagues to provide funding, resources and support.

“Where there is current infrastructure, you want to build on that and make that better,” Matthews said. “Those are sizable investments, but you have to sustain them. You can put a couple of million dollars into a field, but that may only last for a year or two … If the community wants to come together and make something happen, I think the infrastructure is there for groups like MLB and the Phillies to support that.”

Former Phillies All-Star shortstop and 2007 National League MVP Jimmy Rollins, bouncing off the need for communities to create collaboration, said that “If the community gets behind something, it’ll get done.”

“If you make enough noise, people will pay attention – but if you’re not, it’s just a whole bunch of words,” said Rollins, adding that speaking events need to be followed up with continued action. “Most MLB teams, NFL, NBA teams – at a league level – would love to do charity work.”

Speaking on behalf of the team, Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski said that leaving a legacy in the city is important. 

“Philosophically, we can come up with all the ideas, and we have as an organization, but then you have to put them into motion – and motion is directed by a person or a group of people that will take the bull by the horns and be in a position to provide that,” Dombroski said. “Our legacy is to really continue to grow the game, really within the community – and North Philadelphia, of course, is a major part of that.”

In closing, ESPN analyst Doug Glanville, a former Penn baseball star and Phillie, reiterated that the conversation of how to improve access to youth baseball – and how to keep kids connected to the game – must go beyond discussions like the one hosted Wednesday night. 

“I wrote an article years ago about how baseball as a sport has so much analytics and data available to it … Why can’t we take that data skillset now and target it toward some of these social challenges that we’re asking questions about?” Glanville said. “Those are things that can be that next level of how we can continue.”