MLB Voices is a Fellowship Program aimed to develop and grow the next generation of play-by-play talent in baseball, with a specific focus on elevating diverse voices within the game. In 2024, in an effort to broaden the voices delivering baseball to all fans and level the playing field, Major League Baseball, in collaboration with the Black Play-by-Play Grant & Scholarship Fund launched the MLB Voices Program.

Participants selected for this program will gain hands-on opportunities to call play-by-play for select MLB. Develops events. Additionally, they will benefit from mentorship and guidance from experienced voices in the baseball broadcasting industry. Over the course of the 10-month program, participants will exit with tangible copies of high-level television broadcast tape, enhancing their professional reels. They’ll also establish valuable connections within MLB, network with peers and MLB clubs at the Baseball Winter Meetings, and attend MLB All-Star Week, with shadowing opportunities and participation in key events like the HBCU Swingman Classic and the Futures Game.

Program Overview:

The program is a 10-month commitment and runs from February through November 2026.

Location:

This fellowship is remote and requires travel to MLB events.

MLB Events:

Fellows will have the opportunity to call games for MLB Develops events and the Arizona Fall League, as well as network with peers.

Training & Development:

Fellows will participate in an orientation and meet bi-monthly for programming sessions featuring guest speakers and covering topics such as:

• Program Expectations
• The Realities of Broadcasting
• Demo Building
• Navigating the Job Market
• Broadcast Preparation
• Self-Critique
• Social Media/Content

Fellows Will Receive:

• Mentorship from a network of baseball broadcasters with combined decades of experience
• Tape review with MLB-level broadcasters

Criteria:

• Black Play by Play Grant Fellow or MLB Develops alumni preferred
• College graduate
• Interested in pursuing a career in broadcasting
• Consent to MLB waivers, releases and background check

Major League Baseball in partnership with the Buck O’Neil Professional Scouts and Coaches Association is excited to launch the fifth edition of the MLB Scout and Coaching Development Program. The Scout Development Program will provide emerging talent with an opportunity to learn the basics of scouting and provide tools to enhance their existing experience to enter front office and scouting related roles.  The Scout Development Program will take place during the Arizona Fall League October 12-20, 2025. Travel, lodging, and a stipend will be provided by MLB for participants selected for this in-person experience (space is limited). Applicants should have an interest in pursuing scouting as a career or pursuing a career in baseball where scouting experience would be an asset.

Additionally, for the fourth consecutive year, MLB will host twelve selected coaching candidates aspiring to further advance their coaching abilities to participate in the Coaching Development Program (one week in length during the period of October 12-October 26). The program will provide the selected coaches with a week of on-field coaching experience with an assigned Arizona Fall League team. There will also be opportunity to gain coaching experience with teams in Phoenix, Arizona during their fall programming (Bridge League, Instructional League, etc.). Prior to the start of the Coaching Development Program, all coaching development program participants will attend virtual development training sessions prior to arriving in Arizona. Former players and current coaches at the collegiate level are encouraged to apply. 

Travel, lodging, and a stipend will be provided by MLB for participants selected for this in-person experience. Applicants should have an interest in pursuing scouting or coaching as a career or pursuing a career in baseball where scouting or coaching experience would be an asset.

MLB has also made a concerted effort to engage former players (MLB, MiLB) and players participating within MLB Partner Leagues (American Association, Atlantic League, Frontier League, and Pioneer League), so all players from these respective leagues are encouraged to apply. 

The deadline for applications is September 12, 2025, and applicants are encouraged to apply ASAP to potentially engage with staff involved in the selection process.