Mayor’s Play Ball event brings baseball & softball fun to Pines kids. What to know
Young and looking to shake up your summer break? Pembroke Pines wants you to step into the batter’s box.
The annual Mayor’s Play Ball returns to the southwest Broward city on Friday, July 10, bringing free food, prizes and America’s Pastime to kids.
Families and young sluggers will meet at Flamingo Park, located at 1900 NW 122nd Terrace, from 10 a.m. to noon for several hit, pitch and run activities alongside Mayor Angelo Castillo.
The event includes baseball and softball, and kids can expect to fuel up on complimentary snow cones, popcorn and hot dogs.
Mayor’s Play Ball is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
Co-hosted by the city’s Recreation & Cultural Arts Department and the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), Play Ball’s goal is simple: “Encourage youth to stay active, build skills, and have fun.”
The initiative was launched in 2015 by USCM and Major League Baseball to make the sport more accessible for kids who aren’t familiar with it and strengthen the bonds between young athletes on the field, as well as ensure long-term youth interest and participation.
Pembroke Pines has participated since 2016, when former Mayor Frank C. Ortis stepped up to the plate at Pembroke Shores Park for games including Wiffle ball and radar gun, long toss, tee, accuracy and base running challenges.
During the 2024 event, Play Ball’s ninth anniversary in Pines, dozens of players, city commissioners and even Billy the Marlin, the Miami Marlins’ mascot, took part.
“Mayor’s Play Ball event is all about baseball and family fun and it’s my pleasure to sponsor it and see the kids having fun playing our national pastime,” Castillo wrote in a 2024 Instagram post. “The greatest game there is.”
For more information about the Mayor’s Play Ball, visit the city of Pembroke Pines’ website or Instagram.
