Diamondbacks, Corbin Carroll give RBI student-athletes surprise of a lifetime

By Jayla French

Corbin Carroll and the Diamondbacks helped create an unforgettable memory for many high schoolers across Arizona. 

The students part of the D-backs Nike RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), were surprised and gifted with custom jerseys and Nike gear ahead of their trip to the Nike RBI regionals in Seattle next week.

The gear included jerseys, pants, cleats, hats, Nike sunglasses, and backpacks with Corbin Carroll’s ‘CC7’ charity logo. 

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The D-backs Nike RBI baseball and softball players were surprised this afternoon with custom jerseys and Nike gear by Corbin Carroll, the program ambassador, at Chase Field. The teams are preparing for the Nike RBI regionals in Seattle next week. @Sports360AZ pic.twitter.com/zBGK1yvYp1

— Jayla French (@french_jayla) July 11, 2024

The D-backs Nike RBI program is available for youth ages 5-18 at Boys and Girls Clubs. It’s an initiative designed to provide opportunities for youth in underserved communities to play and learn baseball while encouraging academic achievement and teamwork.

Carroll, who is the D-backs Nike MLB RBI ambassador, has been heavily involved with the program during the offseason and made an appearance Thursday afternoon to speak to the athletes. 

“I want to start by saying how proud I am of you guys representing all of Phoenix and Arizona with that D-backs across your chest,” Carroll said. “It’s pretty cool.”

The D-backs Baseball Academy, supported by the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, runs a summer baseball league. Student-athletes get the chance to travel and play games at the D-backs major league facilities. 

Coaches from the academy selected the players to represent the organization in the regional tournament and they were given a memorable sendoff. 

Those students also included the Diamondbacks’ first-ever Nike RBI softball team. Julissa Pulido, an infielder at Tolleson High School, was bursting with joy and gratitude following the event.

“I was so excited I think I was the loudest one in the room,” Pulido said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity and everyone who’s helped me. If you get a chance, you have to show what you have and show to everyone that you can do it.” 

For Adolfo Pacheco, this will be his third year with the D-backs RBI baseball team. He’s eager to represent the Diamondbacks after encouraging words from Carroll.

“That boosts everybody’s energy,” Pacheco said. “Everybody loves to be here. Everybody wants to be here. It means a lot putting a big organization on our chest. Just going out and having good character – playing our game – that’s all we could ask for.”

Cullen Maxey, the Diamondbacks Executive Vice President of Business Operations and CRO, spoke to the athletes about the lasting impact RBI will have on them regardless of the outcome. 

“RBI was created so we can give opportunities and tools to many that may not have them,” Maxey said. “You’ve competed. You have found your way to get into this room. That’s no easy task. And so we congratulate you and we’re extremely proud of you.”

“Right now, you’ve already won. You’ve already won because of what you’ve accomplished. You know you’ve already won because you are going to now be a part of something that no matter what happens, you’re going to build memories.”