ATLANTA, Ga. – The third annual HBCU Swingman Classic took center stage Friday night at Truist Park, kicking off Major League Baseball’s All-Star Weekend with 50 players from 17 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in a nationally televised exhibition.
The National League team defeated the American League squad 7-4, overcoming a three-run deficit and scoring six unanswered runs to close out the game.
Former Atlanta Braves greats (NL) Brian Jordan and (AL) David Justice managers for the 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic press conference pic.twitter.com/O1wx9gHP07
— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) July 12, 2025
The event was created to elevate and honor HBCU baseball, with rosters selected by a committee chaired by Ken Griffey Jr., Global Ambassador for the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation. The game was broadcast live on MLB Network and streamed on MLB.com. Two of the night’s biggest moments came via home runs. Alabama State’s Kameron Douglas opened the scoring with a solo shot to center field in the second inning.
Kameron Douglas from Alabama State celebrates following 2nd inning HR during the HBCU Swingman Classic at Truist Park pic.twitter.com/82hzpEEtbM
— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) July 11, 2025
Jay Campbell, a freshman at Florida A&M, added a two-run home run in the seventh that gave the National League the lead.
CAMPBELL WITH THE COMEBACK ????????‼️
Jay Campbell of FAMU crushed the game-tying home run in the 7th that sparked the National Team comeback at the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile and powered by MLB-MLBPA YDF‼️ pic.twitter.com/ArgRCt9JI4
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) July 12, 2025
Alabama State catcher DeMarkus Smiley drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI groundout in the eighth, scoring Grambling State’s Trey Bridges, who had led off the inning with a single. Smiley later came around to score as part of a three-run frame that put the game out of reach.
Bethune-Cookman led all programs with seven players on the combined rosters. Other schools with strong representation included Alabama State, Jackson State, Southern University, and Grambling State.
The game was managed by former Atlanta Braves All-Stars Brian Jordan and David Justice, with Jordan guiding the National League team and Justice leading the American League side.
Players and coaches were introduced pregame alongside live musical performances and tributes to Black Greek life and HBCU tradition. The Swingman Classic, founded in 2023, has become a platform for scouting and recognition, with players showcasing skills in front of professional evaluators on a Major League stage.
The event continues to grow in significance as part of MLB’s wider diversity and youth development efforts. The 2025 edition brought together players, coaches, alumni, and families from across the country to celebrate the past, present, and future of Black college baseball.
