A Weekend of Remembrance and Opportunity
The Detroit Tigers opened their annual Black in Baseball Weekend with the Black Diamond Dinner at MotorCity Casino Hotel’s Amnesia on June 18, a night dedicated to celebrating the deep roots of Black baseball and to charting a path forward for the next generation of players.
The evening honored Negro Leagues pioneers, culminating in the presentation of the Willie Horton African American Legacy Award to Pete Hill, a trailblazing figure whose contributions continue to shape opportunities for African Americans in the sport.
The celebration spilled onto the field on Friday at Comerica Park, where the Tigers faced the Chicago White Sox before a concert by rapper Nelly, merging entertainment with the ballpark atmosphere.
Showcasing HBCU Talent
Saturday’s lineup featured the Black in Baseball HBCU Showcase at The Corner Ballpark, where athletes from historically Black colleges and universities took part in skill development sessions, instruction, and exposure activities, supported by partners such as the Players Alliance Partnership and Level Up Lab Programming & Activation.
Passing the Bat
On Sunday, the weekend concluded with the Tigers’ Passing of the Bat Ceremony, a tradition that hands the symbolic bat to a promising young talent; this year’s recipient was Jamir Campbell, a shortstop at Detroit Edison Public School Academy.
Together, the four‑day program underscored the Tigers’ commitment to preserving Detroit’s baseball heritage while expanding representation and access for under‑represented communities across the sport.