We’re still riding high after an incredible Spring 2026 season, building directly on the momentum of our landmark 2025 debut that brought organized youth baseball back to East Phoenix after nearly a decade.

Led by the Home2First Foundation, this year marked a massive professional expansion for the Balsz Home2First Baseball League (BHBL). In February 2026, we officially partnered with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Nike Jr. RBI league. We also doubled our impact, growing from our original K–2nd foundation to add two brand-new 3rd–5th grade divisions—giving even more student-athletes from the Balsz School District the chance to learn, play, and compete.

Our coaching staff was fully led by the Diamondbacks organization, creating an elite, collaborative learning environment where player engagement skyrocketed. But true to the Home2First mission, the diamond was only half the classroom. Off the field, we leveled up our curriculum. Our classroom sessions introduced young athletes to the legacies of trailblazers like Jackie Robinson, Yogi Berra, and Corbin Carroll, while regular academic check-ups ensured our players excelled in school.

We were also joined by an elite lineup of guest speakers, including MLB veterans Scott Hairston, Shawn Estes, and Hayden Seig, alongside former Dodger and current Tempe Fire Chief Chris Snow. To anchor these lessons, players and parents signed official contracts, pledging a shared commitment to teamwork, hustle, and resilience in the face of failure.

This phenomenal growth wouldn't be possible without the unwavering generosity of our sponsors, community partners, and families. We are just getting started—and we can’t wait to keep building a community where every child has the resources, mentorship, and gear to step up to the plate.