
The Hank Aaron Invitational, powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF) in partnership with USA Baseball, is the premier diversity-focused baseball development experience for high school-age baseball players in the United States. Major League Baseball and the Players Association co-operate the event. The unique amateur development event aims to get high school-age players, with diverse backgrounds, to the next levels of the game. Every year 200-250 select participants have an unforgettable experience at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex (JRTC) in Vero Beach, Florida. Participants receive training, instruction and mentoring from former Major League Players, coaches and baseball executives. The invitational includes special guest presentations and addresses, including YDF’s Ambassador and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey, Jr., Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred, and Executive Director of the MLBPA Tony Clark. The best 44 players – a nod to the legendary Hank Aaron’s uniform number – from the second week of the Hank Aaron Invitational are selected to play in a special showcase game at a Major League park and participate in a weekend of cultural activities.
For any questions, please email [email protected].
Former MLB and MiLB players and coaches that have participated in HAI
- Luis Alicea
- Garvin Alston
- Marlon Anderson
- Fernando Arroyo
- Dusty Baker
- Willie Banks
- Homer Bush
- John Cangelosi
- Endy Chavez
- Lou Collier
- Eric Davis
- Delino DeShields
- Bob Didier
- Courtney Duncan
- Mike Easler
- Cecil Fielder
- George Foster
- Marvin Freeman
- Dave Gallagher
- Wayne Gomes
- Tom Gordon
- Tom Gregorio
- Ken Griffey, Sr.
- Antonio Grissom
- Marquis Grissom
- Edward Guzman
- Jeffrey Hammonds
- Mickey Hatcher
- LaTroy Hawkins
- Ken Hill
- Trenidad Hubbard
- Brian Hunter
- Ron Jackson
- Charles Johnson
- Ken Landreaux
- Leon Lee
- Ed Lovelace
- Pat Mahomes
- Anthony Manuel
- Jerry Manuel
- Gary Matthews, Sr.
- Darrell Miller
- Carlos Muñoz
- Reid Nichols
- Darren Oliver
- Rob Picciolo
- Bo Porter
- Bobby Ramos
- Willie Randolph
- Jeff Reboulet
- Jerry Royster
- Jamie Quirk
- Juan Samuel
- Sergio Santos
- Robert Sasser
- Mike Scioscia
- Dwight Smith
- Lee Smith
- Reggie Smith
- Chris Speier
- Junior Spivey
- Lester Strode
- Michael Tucker
- Lenny Webster
- Kerron Walker
- Reggie Waller
- Tye Waller
- Jemile Weeks
- Reggie Williams
- Maury Wills
- Dmitri Young
College coaches that have participated in HAI
- Erik Bakich – Head Baseball Coach, University of Michigan
- Tim Corbin – Head Baseball Coach, Vanderbilt University
- Bretton Richardson – Head Baseball Coach, Alcorn State University
- Auntwan Riggins – Head Baseball Coach, Prairie View A&M University
- Edwin Thompson – Head Baseball Coach, Eastern Kentucky University















HAI in the News
- August 18, 2021: Arizona Black high school baseball players find solidarity at Hank Aaron Invitational camp (AZ Central)
- August 5, 2021: Watch: Griffeys discuss Hank Aaron Invitational, share memories of Baseball Hall of Famer (Cincinnati Enquirer)
- August 2, 2021: Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr. talk Hank Aaron Invitational (YouTube)
- July 31, 2021: Hank Aaron Invitational brings out Ken Griffey Jr., CC Sabathia, Ryan Howard, Curtis Granderson to Truist Park (The Atlanta Voice)
- July 31, 2021: HAI showcase 'epitomizes what baseball is' (MLB.com)
- July 30, 2021: Ken Griffey Jr. to lead student-athletes to Atlanta’s Hank Aaron Invitational (Valdosta Today)
- July 28, 2021: Atlanta Braves and MLB unveil legacy projects and community events for Hank Aaron Weekend (The Atlanta Voice)
- July 28, 2021: Atlanta Braves Pitch Diversity, Hank Aaron Game on Saturday (Atlanta Daily News)
- July 19, 2021: Winfield shares wisdom at Aaron Invitational (MLB.com)