(PHILADELPHIA – July 4, 2026) — The 4th Annual HBCU Swingman Classic returns to Citizens Bank Park on Friday, July 10, bringing together many of the nation’s top Historically Black College and University baseball players for a celebration of Black excellence, culture, and the game’s future.
Presented by Major League Baseball and USA Baseball, the nationally televised showcase will begin at 7 p.m. on MLB Network as part of MLB All-Star Week. But the event is about far more than baseball.
This year’s Classic honors the late legendary Southern University baseball coach Roger Cador, who died June 30 after dedicating more than three decades to building one of the nation’s premier HBCU baseball programs. Every player will wear a commemorative uniform patch in his honor, while the evening will also include a moment of silence and a special video tribute celebrating his extraordinary legacy.
Cador guided Southern University to 14 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships, 11 NCAA Regional appearances, and helped mentor generations of student-athletes, including former Southern standout Rickie Weeks, the only HBCU player ever to win the prestigious Golden Spikes Award. His influence extended well beyond Baton Rouge as a driving force behind both the HBCU Swingman Classic and the Andre Dawson Classic.
Beyond the competition on the field, players will participate in an educational visit to Philadelphia City Hall honoring civil rights pioneer and baseball trailblazer Octavius V. Catto. The program will highlight Catto’s role in founding the Pythian Base Ball Club in 1865 while recognizing Philadelphia’s contributions to both democracy and Black baseball history.
Major League Baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the HBCU Alliance will also host an HBCU Mixer before the game, connecting high school students with representatives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to discuss admissions, scholarships, and campus life.
The celebration will feature a lineup rich in Black culture and HBCU pride.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, a graduate of Lincoln University, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Howard University alumnus Eric Roberson will perform the National Anthem alongside the ENON Tabernacle Baptist Church Choir, while Grammy Award-winning artist Durand Bernarr will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Philadelphia native Gillie da Kid will deliver the traditional “Play Ball!” announcement, and comedian Roy Wood Jr., a Florida A&M University graduate, will serve as the evening’s emcee. Throughout the game, members of the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities will perform between innings.
The event also continues MLB’s investment in expanding opportunities behind the scenes.
Getty Images and Major League Baseball will welcome three HBCU student photographers through the Getty Images HBCU Photographer Mentorship and Grants Program, including Morgan State University’s Chad Chevalier, who will document the festivities alongside students from Spelman College and Alabama State University.
MLB will also continue its “MLB Voices” initiative, designed to develop the next generation of Black baseball broadcasters through mentorship, live broadcasting opportunities, and professional training during All-Star Week.
The HBCU Swingman Classic has quickly become one of the signature events of MLB All-Star Week, showcasing elite talent while celebrating the enduring legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, their coaches, alumni, and the generations who helped shape America’s pastime.
Tickets for the July 10 game remain available through MLB’s All-Star Week website.
