The concept of a baseball “lifer” certainly fits Rubén Amaro Jr., who has held various roles in MLB, including batboy, player, assistant general manager, general manager, coach, and broadcaster. Now, he’s aiming to leverage this wealth of experience to create a new baseball format that encourages continued involvement in the game after players hang up their cleats.
Amaro began his journey with the Philadelphia Phillies as a batboy from 1980-83, during his father Rubén Sr.’s tenure. He played in the big leagues from 1991-98, then served as assistant general manager (1998-2008) and general manager (2009-2015) for the Phillies. Following that, he coached with the Boston Red Sox (2016-17) and New York Mets (2018), and has been broadcasting for the Phillies since 2020 and MLB Network since 2022. This extensive experience has shaped the new Sluggball concept he’s launching alongside his brother David and a team of Philadelphia-based investors.
In a release issued on Wednesday, the Sluggball team described their endeavor as a “reimagined version of the sport designed to reignite former players’ passion for hitting” through a unique 4-v-4, situational hitting format featuring a proprietary, patent-pending scoring system. Collaborating brands include the MLB Players Alumni Association, Victus Bats, and Blast Motion, with advisors like Evan Kaplan, managing director of MLB Players, Inc., and six-time MLB All-Star Kenny Lofton on board.
Recently, Amaro spoke about the new league with AA, revealing that the Sluggball team formed through connections made by his brother’s involvement with the Philly Bandits travel baseball team. This led them to meet other investors and explore a situational hitting-focused vision for baseball aimed at keeping former players engaged.
“They brought an idea, and we started kicking it around, developing it as we felt it could become something distinctive, something other major sports have embraced at a different level—something we believe baseball hasn’t pursued as thoroughly,” Amaro shared. “This is an innovative and enjoyable experience tailored for individuals who have finished high school ball or D1, D2, or D3 baseball, as well as those who have played professionally.”
After internal development, Sluggball debuted with an invite-only pilot event at Trenton Thunder Ballpark in New Jersey last September. Highlights of that event can be seen in the following video:
Sluggball, which already has six official events scheduled across New Jersey and Ohio this year, expects to add more as more teams sign up. The competition consists of four directional hitting rounds: pull side, up the middle, opposite field, and around the horn, with players facing batting practice-style pitches to help them focus on hitting targets.
Amaro emphasized the importance of directional hitting as a crucial skill that has waned in MLB due to recent rule changes. He expressed concern over the analytics-driven approach that has dominated the game in recent years, stating, “For the last 10 to 20 years, the ascent of analytics has pushed hitting home runs, reducing action on the field and making the game feel stale.”
“To me, baseball is about action. It’s about what unfolds on the field. While I think MLB is attempting to alter rules to create that atmosphere, I also value the art of hitting, which is about control and ability to hit situationally. It’s a lost art we aim to revive,” he added.
Amaro believes the Sluggball format will not only excite both players and fans but will also energize the game overall. “The quick 30-minute games bring a level of energy and action that has been lacking. It’s structured to ensure that each pitch matters, ensuring contact and engagement throughout,” he noted.
He praised Lofton’s involvement, citing his skillful contact hitting and long-standing relationship with him as a former teammate and someone he signed to the Phillies, saying, “He embodies the style of play we want to promote, showcasing speed and action on the base paths.”
Aside from showcasing skill, Amaro believes Sluggball’s competitive scoring setup will amplify the game’s excitement. “It challenges players to push their capabilities and encourages competition in a setting where they dictate the conditions by choosing their batting practice pitchers,” he explained.
Sluggball is designed to promote wider participation, including retired players. Amaro was inspired by the community-building impact pickleball has had on former tennis professionals and pondered what similar opportunities exist in baseball. “I’ve dabbled in pickleball myself, and as I semi-retire, I think about how baseball players can keep enjoying and participating in the sport. Options like recreational softball just don’t offer the same appeal,” he remarked.
“This kind of experience allows people to keep playing and enjoying the game, similar to how pickleball offers a fresh take compared to tennis. We see this space as an exciting opportunity for friends and family to compete and connect over a shared love of baseball,” he continued. Moreover, the Sluggball format aims to appeal to all players, focusing on what many consider the most enjoyable aspect of baseball—hitting—without the distractions of running or defense.
“This is a fast-paced competition format where small teams get together just to hit. The most enjoyable part of baseball is hitting. It’s not a home run derby; it’s about controlling the strike zone and creating action by handling the bat effectively,” Amaro concluded.
Read on for insights on how Sluggball evolved from Amaro’s connections in Philadelphia, his unique experience being portrayed in The Goldbergs, and his passion for his broadcasting career.
