NE Valley Times

The Players Trust, the charitable division of the Major League Baseball Players Association, will host its third annual Playmakers Classic in Phoenix on February 18, 2025. The event, presented by Fanatics, is set to take place at Warehouse215 and will feature a variety of activities including musical performances, table games, a golf simulator competition, food and drink tastings, and a silent auction. Tickets are available through the Players Trust website.

Several MLB players and legends are expected to attend the event. Notable names include Bobby Bonilla, Tony Clark (MLBPA Executive Director), Corbin Carroll, Marcus Semien, Mike King, Dane Dunning, and Brent Suter. The proceeds from this gathering will support youth development programs related to baseball both domestically and internationally.

The event will also highlight $1 million in new commitments to selected youth organizations by the Players Trust. These organizations include Learn Fresh, Project Béisbol, Metro Sports Fieldhouse, Athletics & Beyond, Baseball Island Foundation, and Project Baseball Arizona.

Fanatics will serve as the presenting sponsor for the third consecutive year. Grace Farraj of Fanatics expressed enthusiasm about their ongoing partnership with the Players Trust: “Our ongoing partnership with the Players Trust underscores our dedication to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience while promoting sports inclusion and community development amongst our global fanbase.”

Additional sponsors for the event include Winston & Strawn LLP, FINN Partners, Language Testing International among others.

During the Playmakers Classic, Philadelphia Phillies player Rhys Hoskins will be honored as the 2024 Philanthropist of the Year. He will receive a formal award along with a $25,000 donation to a charity of his choice.

Players Trust Director Amy Hever commented on the significance of this annual event: “This event powers much of the work that we do and will continue to do across communities where players and fans live.”

The Playmakers Classic was previously held in Las Vegas at MGM Resorts International’s Retro by Voltaggio after its inaugural hosting at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale in November 2022.

For more information about attending or supporting this year's Playmakers Classic or making donations can be found on their official website.