Minor League Baseball is launching an outreach program focused on the Black community called "The Nine," which is designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact of Black baseball pioneers and civil rights leaders.

The Nine is named in honor of the number Jackie Robinson wore during his only season playing in the Minor Leagues with the Triple-A Montreal Royals in 1946. 

The program will focus on creating new opportunities for Black youth participation throughout MiLB's 120 cities, particularly where youth baseball and softball programs either don't exist or are difficult to access.