Major League Baseball have announced that the Invictus Games Foundation, of which Prince Harry is a patron, will be an official charity partner of the MLB Present London Series 2019.
The partnership has been announced ahead of MLB’s first foray into London later this month, when the US’ oldest sporting rivalry, New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox, face off at the London Stadium.
Invictus Games Foundation is the international charity that oversees the development of the Invictus Games, the multi-sport event created by the Duke of Sussex.
The partnership aims to highlight the inclusive nature of baseball, via events such as the London Series.
As part of the partnership, the Invictus Games Foundation will have a team participating in London’s Softball60, the social softball series built for the city and targeted to introduce the sport to new audiences.
The Foundation will represent the Toronto Blue Jays, with Canada’s capital having been the scene of the third Invictus Games in 2017.
Ibi Ali, a former soldier who has completed a marathon on every continent, and who competed in the Invictus Games Orlando 2016, is participating in the Softball60 series.
He said: “Softball is such an iconic sport and it feels really inclusive. I’m an arm amputee, and taking up a sport where a bat and ball is involved is something that I’ve previously avoided, but it’s been great doing the Softball60 series.
"I’m playing with people who are able-bodied and people less able and everyone’s just having a go and that’s the main thing.
"It’s not about the competitive spirit, it’s more about the team ethos, getting back into it, and doing something active.
"Because actually the fitter and stronger you are, the better you are able to deal with whatever life throws at you.”
Dominic Reid, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, said. “We are delighted to be partnering with Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association in this international sporting collaboration as both organisations are passionate about the power of sport to help people move forward on their journey to recovery.
"The support from these groundbreaking games will significantly enhance the Foundation’s ability to provide recovery opportunities for international wounded, injured, or sick serving or veteran armed forces personnel.”
*New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox in the London Series 2019 will be LIVE on BT Sport on June 29 and June 30.
