Invictus Games Foundation announced as an Official Charity Partner of the Mitel and MLB Present London Series 2019

Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) have announced that the Invictus Games Foundation will be an Official Charity Partner of the Mitel and MLB Present London Series 2019.

The Invictus Games Foundation is the international charity that oversees the development of the Invictus Games, an international adaptive multi-sport event in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and veterans participate. It celebrates the power of sport in recovery and how it can help, physically or psychologically, those suffering from injuries or illness.  

This partnership between MLB, the MLBPA and the Invictus Games Foundation will highlight the inclusive nature of baseball, celebrate the military community, and inspire society by showcasing the positive impact of engaging  with sports, competitors, and events like the Mitel and MLB Present London Series 2019.

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, a team close to the spirit of this effort as Toronto played host to the third Invictus Games in 2017. The Invictus Games Foundation softball team will compete in the five-week series with the hope of making it to the final on Friday June 28th.

Ibi Ali, who competed in the Invictus Games Orlando 2016, is participating in the Softball60 series and 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”

Additionally, a group of U.S. and UK former Invictus Games competitors will attend an MLB adaptive baseball coaching session at PLAY BALL park on Friday June 28. Following the session, the group will get a first look inside London Stadium and see the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees taking batting practice before returning on Saturday and Sunday to see the teams in action for the Mitel and MLB Present London Series 2019.

Baseball legend and Hall of Famer Babe Ruth was once famously quoted saying: “You just can’t beat the person that never gives up.” This sentiment resonates with both the Invictus Games Foundation and MLB. In celebration of the partnership, a limited edition t-shirt with this quote will be sold exclusively at the Mitel and MLB Present London Series 2019 Superstore with all royalties going to the Invictus Games Foundation.

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.

For more information about the partnership and the Mitel and MLB Present London Series 2019 please visit MLB.com/LondonSeries.

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