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We are thrilled to share that Diamond Allegiance has been featured on the latest episode of NBC’s ‘For the Love of Sport’ podcast! This special episode dives deep into how Diamond Allegiance is elevating opportunities, addressing barriers, and fostering inclusive environments within the realm of travel baseball.

In this engaging conversation, hosts Simon and Marie speak with Sandy Ogg and Erik Bakich from Diamond Allegiance. Erik, known for his coaching experiences at Clemson, shares invaluable insights into the organization’s revolutionary approach to travel baseball. Together, they discuss the roots of Diamond Allegiance and the driving forces behind enhancing the athlete experience.

Join us in gaining a fresh perspective on youth sports and discover how Diamond Allegiance is reshaping the landscape. Don’t miss out on this enriching episode!

Listen to the podcast episode on Apple Podcasts: Link to Episode

Stay tuned for more updates and news from Diamond Allegiance as we continue to lead the way in transforming travel baseball. Together, we’re creating a brighter future for young athletes everywhere!

An excerpt From USA TODAY article, April 21st, 2024

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY

Trying to make a difference 

While the Black population in Major League Baseball has plummeted to 5.7%, its lowest since 1955 – the year after Jackie Robinson retired – Diamond Allegiance, an organization trying to make baseball affordable to everyone, just committed $1 billion to help revolutionize club baseball. 

The organization is committed to making baseball accessible to everyone, providing scholarship and financial assistance. They want to make sure the families who aren’t spending $20,000 for their kids to be in showcase games can still be recognized by college and pro recruiters. 

“We need to help change the model for these kids,” University of Michigan baseball coach Tracy Smith tells USA TODAY Sports. “We need to help reduce the cost and improve the effectiveness of travel sports in baseball and softball. We have such a huge disconnect right now.’’ 

Sandy Ogg, founder of Diamond Allegiance, says the goal is to simply create a more accessible and affordable travel baseball ecosystem. They want to reduce family costs, and increase youth participation in underrepresented communities. While the Black population in baseball is the lowest in nearly 70 years, there is an even lower percentage of Black players in the college ranks. 

They have also created an app called CURVE player development to help families get indoctrinated into the amateur system with an advisory staff that includes Clemson Coach Erik Bakich, former Oregon State coach Pat Casey, and University of Florida Coach Kevin O’Sullivan. 

“We want to help as many kids as possible,” Ogg says. “We want to change the business model and provide real and true direction for kids. We have a huge disconnect between showcases and minority-owned travel ball teams. 

“We not going to turn kids away.” 

What frustrates Smith and collegiate coaches is that families are sold on the belief that if they don’t spend thousands of dollars on showcase events, they won’t be scouted, and will never have a chance to play baseball higher than the high school level. 

That should never be the case, Smith and Ogg say. 

“They have sold the myth forever that exposure equals recruitment,” Smith says. “They say that in order to be seen and get the maximum exposure, you’re going to have to be in the right tournaments, fly to Jupiter, Fla., and stay for a week or 10 days, and all of the college coaches and pro scouts will be there to see 471 of these kids. It’s insane.”

The plan, Ogg says, is to organize travel ball, make it more local and regionalized, and allow everyone the opportunity to play without families needing to take out second mortgages. 

“Everyone’s trying to solve the same problem,” Ogg says, “but we’re all working independently. The studies are telling us that 97% of college baseball rosters are from select baseball travel teams. So, if you don’t have access to travel teams, you won’t be playing college baseball or softball. 

“We want this foundation to make sure that if you’re good enough to make a team, money shouldn’t ever be a factor.  

FOR THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE

Diamond Allegiance, a national collaboration of 37 premier baseball clubs, today unveils its “Blueprint for Change.” This groundbreaking initiative commits $1 billion to revolutionize club baseball, focusing on accessibility, development and community engagement.

Implementing a Vision for Inclusive Club Baseball

Diamond Allegiance’s commitment involves redistributing $1 billion to the club baseball community by 2030. This broad initiative aims to enhance club resources, reduce costs for families and athletes, and support philanthropic efforts through the Diamond Sports Foundation. The Foundation focuses on making baseball accessible and inclusive, providing scholarships and financial assistance to empower every child to play and enjoy the sport.

NBC Sports NEXT: Empowering Diamond Allegiance’s Mission

Through a partnership with NBC Sports Next, Diamond Allegiance is leveraging the SportsEngine league and team management technology to reduce administrative burdens and focus on player development and cost reduction, playing a crucial role in this mission.

Redefining Travel Baseball for a Brighter Future

The “Blueprint for Change” targets critical areas in club baseball, focusing on reducing the travel burden, enhancing player development, streamlining the recruitment process, and broadening access to the sport.

Enhanced Benefits and Key Components of the Blueprint

• Optimized Travel Strategies: Reducing unnecessary travel to alleviate financial and logistical pressures on families.
• Advanced Player Development: Utilizing the CURVE app and other technologies for precise player progress tracking.
• Revolutionized Recruitment: Combining transparent recruitment practices with streamlined processes to ensure clear, fair opportunities and smoother transitions for athletes from high school to college baseball.
• Comprehensive Family Education: Offering extensive resources to educate families about the intricacies of club baseball, from recruitment to player development.

 A Partner’s Perspective

“I’ve witnessed firsthand how Diamond Allegiance is steering the future of baseball,” says Erik Bakich, Head Coach at Clemson Baseball. “Their innovative approach goes beyond the field, fostering not only athletic excellence but also shaping responsible leaders for tomorrow.”

An Invitation to Step Up to the Plate

Sandy Ogg, Founder of Diamond Allegiance, extends an invitation: “As we unveil our Blueprint for Change, I invite those who see baseball as more than just a sport, but as a transformative force. This is our call to action to unite and empower young players, fostering a future where baseball is a beacon of community, growth and fulfillment. Together, we’re bringing this powerful vision to life, one player, one game, and one community at a time.”

About Diamond Allegiance

Founded in 2022, Diamond Allegiance partners with leading baseball clubs across the USA, striving to advance and enrich the baseball ecosystem. Our strategy combines cutting-edge technology powered by NBC Sports Next, with a focus on community and inclusivity, fostering the growth of future baseball talent. Through the Diamond Sports Foundation, we ensure baseball’s benefits reach communities nationwide.