Winter HBCU baseball tournament will honor a Black MLB legend

HBCU baseball will return to Birmingham to honor a Black MLB legend.

Starting later this month, the Willie Mays HBCU Baseball Open will showcase the top Black college programs in a tribute to the legendary Hall of Famer.

The event, sponsored by Black College Nines, will be held at Rickwood Field, America’s oldest professional ballpark, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Who is playing in the Willie Mays HBCU Open?

The tournament kicks off Thursday, January 29, with Birmingham-Southern versus Clark at 2 p.m., followed by Harris-Stowe State versus Miles College at 6:15 p.m. Friday features Stillman College facing Clark Atlanta at 11:15 a.m. and Miles College against Harris-Stowe State at 3:15 p.m., building momentum through the weekend.

Semifinals and finals cap the action, pitting the top teams in head-to-head battles for bragging rights and momentum heading into the spring season.

Photo: Black College Nines

Named for Willie Mays, whose storied career included Negro Leagues play and a record 660 home runs, the open honors his roots while spotlighting current HBCU talent. Rickwood Field, home to the Birmingham Barons and site of recent MLB commemorative games, adds layers of history—from Mays’ era to modern Negro Leagues nods—with its iconic scoreboard and grandstands.

HBCU programs will gain prime visibility for players eyeing pro scouts and fans hungry for quality baseball.

Why Willie Mays HBCU Open matters

Events like this align with the longstanding mission to chronicle HBCU baseball’s past and present, from All-Americans to MLB Draft picks, amid growing national interest. Early-year timing positions it as a season launchpad, drawing alumni, recruits and communities to Rickwood’s hallowed grounds for a mix of rivalry, skill and pageantry.