Hialeah Inaugurates Miami Marlins MLB Youth Academy at Babcock Park with Mayor Calvo, Mayor Levine Cava, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred

Hialeah, the Miami Marlins, and Major League Baseball officially opened the Miami Marlins MLB Youth Academy at Babcock Park on September 14, 2026. This new facility represents a significant investment in Babcock Park and Hialeah's youth sports programs, aiming to expand access and opportunity for local families interested in baseball and softball.

Mayor Bryan Calvo joined Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, and Marlins Chairman and Principal Owner Bruce Sherman for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event marked a new chapter for youth baseball and softball in Hialeah, setting the stage for expanded collaboration between the city, the Marlins, and Major League Baseball.

The program, which began in 2023 with 56 young athletes, now serves hundreds of South Florida families year-round. This fall, approximately 200 players aged 5 to 15 will participate across six instructional divisions. The Academy also offers advanced training for players aged 13 to 18, winter development clinics, spring programming, and multiple summer programs.

The Marlins Nike RBI summer league alone serves more than 500 athletes and up to 40 teams annually, with Saturday games played right here in Hialeah. Additionally, the Sandlot Summer program caters to younger players aged 5 to 12, further broadening the reach of youth baseball and softball in the community.