There's something beautiful happening in baseball this year, and it has nothing to do with home runs or championship rings. Major League Baseball is stepping up to the plate in a whole new way, pledging an incredible 250,000 volunteer hours to celebrate America's 250th birthday.

Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the heartwarming initiative at MLB's Manhattan headquarters on Thursday, bringing together America's favorite pastime with a mission to serve communities across the nation. Under the "MLB Together" platform, all 30 MLB clubs, 120 Minor League teams, players at every level, and charitable partners will unite in this remarkable effort.

"Our great game has been a source of entertainment and enjoyment for Americans for more than 150 years," Manfred shared warmly. "When you have a nickname like America's pastime, we feel that it's really important that we have a special obligation to appropriately commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country."

The celebration kicked off with a touching event benefiting Foster Love, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children in foster care. More than 60 MLB volunteers, sporting cheerful "MLB Together" T-shirts, gathered to pack 80 "Sweet Cases"—duffel bags brimming with everyday essentials like blankets, hygiene kits, art supplies, teddy bears, and water bottles. Volunteers added personal touches with colorful stencils and pastels, transforming each bag into a unique gift of love for foster children in the New York area.

Danny Mendoza, who founded Foster Love at just 19 years old, has already helped over one million children in foster care. His organization now serves one in three foster kids and foster parents across all 50 states. "Major League Baseball has been so receptive and open to helping and wanting to do more in the community," Mendoza said enthusiastically.

MLB's partnership with America250, the official congressional organization leading the nation's 250th anniversary commemoration, aligns perfectly with the "America Gives" initiative, which aims to make 2026 the most volunteer-driven year in American history.

The celebration extends throughout the entire year, with special recognition planned for the World Baseball Classic and culminating at the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia—the very city where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Philadelphia also hosted the All-Star Game for America's bicentennial in 1976, creating a beautiful parallel.

Perhaps most inspiring is that fans can participate too. A special microsite will feature a thermometer tracking progress toward the 250,000-hour goal, and fans can submit their own volunteer hours and photos to contribute directly to the cause.

April Brown, MLB's Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility, captured the spirit perfectly: "Our sport is core and ingrained in America's history, and what we know is we can bring everyone together, and the power of that, let's showcase it."

This year, baseball isn't just entertaining millions—it's actively making communities stronger, children happier, and America better. Now that's a home run everyone can celebrate.