PHILADELPHIA — A new 4-on-4 baseball contest named Sluggball, co-created by former Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., is set to launch in May and travel to various minor league stadiums this season.
Sluggball emphasizes situational hitting exclusively, eliminating the need for fielding or running. Amaro, who was instrumental in guiding the Phillies to three consecutive NL East titles, teamed up with his brother, David Amaro, to establish this innovative competition. Among the advisers for Sluggball are Kenny Lofton, a celebrated six-time MLB All-Star, and Evan Kaplan, the managing director at MLB Players, Inc.
Teams, consisting of six to eight players, are required to bring their own pitcher and will engage in a series of 4-on-4 situational hitting challenges using wooden bats. The competition format ensures that each team participates in two four-round games, with championship teams vying for cash awards.
The competition includes four distinct hitting challenges: pulling the ball, hitting up the middle, driving to the opposite field, and “around the horn” hits. The inaugural Sluggball event will take place on May 10 at Trenton Thunder Ballpark in Trenton, New Jersey, with additional matches scheduled at locations in Ohio and New York.
Lofton remarked, “Sluggball offers players a unique chance to return to the field and re-engage with the most enjoyable aspects of the game.” In September, a pilot event featuring former Phillies manager Larry Bowa and Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy was held in New Jersey to give a preview of the Sluggball experience.
Ruben Amaro’s journey with the Phillies began as a batboy from 1980 to 1983, and he later played five seasons for the team in the 1990s. After spending a decade as the assistant general manager, he ascended to the GM position following Pat Gillick’s retirement after the Phillies claimed the 2008 World Series title. Under his management, the Phillies captured the 2009 National League pennant along with three division titles and recorded the most victories in franchise history with 102 wins in 2011.
