The American Baseball Coaches Association is pleased to announce on March 22, 2022 its new partnership with Norwegian sports tech brand Playfinity, the makers of the Backyard League Gaming Baseball. By partnering with ABCA, Playfinity expands its connection with coaches nationwide, specifically youth coaches, where they will provide new products and experiences to motivate young players to play more ball and to improve their skills through play.
“Kids are losing interest and dropping out of sports, including baseball, at an alarming rate,” says Shawn Curtis, Playfinity’s General Manager for North America. “Our focus at Playfinity has always been about play, what kids need to stay motivated – having fun, competing with friends, and mastering skills. Partnership with the ABCA connects us to its 13,000+ coaches and members that share that same commitment to the recruitment, engagement, and retention of baseball players of ages 6-16.”
Playfinity entered the U.S. market in Fall 2021 with the Backyard League, an experience designed to give kids and coaches a new way to practice through play. The Backyard League Gaming Baseball is centered around fun, challenges, and connecting players worldwide on the ballfields and in their backyards.
“Any parent with a kid who loves baseball should have the Backyard League Gaming Baseball,” praised ABCA Executive Director Craig Keilitz.
Playfinity plans to introduce the Backyard League Gaming Baseball across the ABCA’s expansive media outlets. As part of their agreement, Playfinity will host two free ABCA webinars with the first webinar scheduled for April 27, 2022. They will also be a featured exhibitor at the 2023 ABCA Convention Trade Show in Nashville, Tennessee.
About Playfinity
Founded in 2016 in Norway, where scorekeeping in youth sports is obsolete, Playfinity develops technology to inspire active play and build core skills. Playfinity’s products, which include the Backyard League Gaming Baseball, use their patent-pending Smart Activity tracker, real-time scoring and sound, and world-wide competitors to make the outdoor gaming experience fun for players of all ages. The company’s playOS, the most complete operating system for active play, is available as an open API. And developers in the baseball community are invited to join Playfinity in building new experiences that can be launched through the Backyard League Gaming Baseball. Today, more than 70% of kids leave sports by the age of 13. Playfinity is leading the community movement to bring play back into sport and keep kids involved longer. By gamifying core skill exercises, Playfinity is an invaluable resource for youth coaches, parents, and for players to improve their skills while having fun with friends.
About the ABCA
The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 13,000 members represent all 50 states and 33 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School and Youth.
“Kids are losing interest and dropping out of sports, including baseball, at an alarming rate,” says Shawn Curtis, Playfinity’s General Manager for North America. “Our focus at Playfinity has always been about play, what kids need to stay motivated – having fun, competing with friends, and mastering skills. Partnership with the ABCA connects us to its 13,000+ coaches and members that share that same commitment to the recruitment, engagement, and retention of baseball players of ages 6-16.”
Playfinity entered the U.S. market in Fall 2021 with the Backyard League, an experience designed to give kids and coaches a new way to practice through play. The Backyard League Gaming Baseball is centered around fun, challenges, and connecting players worldwide on the ballfields and in their backyards.
“Any parent with a kid who loves baseball should have the Backyard League Gaming Baseball,” praised ABCA Executive Director Craig Keilitz.
Playfinity plans to introduce the Backyard League Gaming Baseball across the ABCA’s expansive media outlets. As part of their agreement, Playfinity will host two free ABCA webinars with the first webinar scheduled for April 27, 2022. They will also be a featured exhibitor at the 2023 ABCA Convention Trade Show in Nashville, Tennessee.
About Playfinity
Founded in 2016 in Norway, where scorekeeping in youth sports is obsolete, Playfinity develops technology to inspire active play and build core skills. Playfinity’s products, which include the Backyard League Gaming Baseball, use their patent-pending Smart Activity tracker, real-time scoring and sound, and world-wide competitors to make the outdoor gaming experience fun for players of all ages. The company’s playOS, the most complete operating system for active play, is available as an open API. And developers in the baseball community are invited to join Playfinity in building new experiences that can be launched through the Backyard League Gaming Baseball. Today, more than 70% of kids leave sports by the age of 13. Playfinity is leading the community movement to bring play back into sport and keep kids involved longer. By gamifying core skill exercises, Playfinity is an invaluable resource for youth coaches, parents, and for players to improve their skills while having fun with friends.
About the ABCA
The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 13,000 members represent all 50 states and 33 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School and Youth.