Despite how interconnected our world may seem today, the ability to work collaboratively, think critically, and communicate across cultures—all essential skills for success—continues to be found lacking in many young students and recent graduates who have entered the workplace. These values may have been lost over the many years we have transformed interpersonal interactions into algorithmic transactions. And yet, politically and culturally, in America, we continue to claim we are more divided than ever while we join tribal movements en masse to rally behind similarly minded groups; the most nefarious example of this takes place in politics, while the most benign in our fierce love of sports.
Many of our worlds oscillate between silos of solitude behind screens and then excessively exhibitionist esprit de corps to feel like we are a part of something; if only we could unite these tendencies—the ease of technology with the togetherness of teams. Well, these properties are at the core of the new MLB Players Exchange program, a groundbreaking educational initiative launched by the MLB Players Trust in partnership with Level Up Village.
Tailored for students aged 11–14, the MLB Players Exchange program fosters the development of these essential skills through engaging teamwork challenges and video-based exchanges between classrooms around the world. The program is more than just a series of tasks—it’s an opportunity for students to discover the power of collaboration and explore global diversity with exclusive insights from Major League Baseball players. It’s a way to use the batting cage-esque comfort and safety of our devices while feeling like we’re on the bench, in uniform, with the rest of the team.
Team Bonding
At the heart of the Players Exchange is the principle that teamwork is crucial not only in sports but in everyday life. It’s why we have our students do groupwork so much, and why we participate in professional learning communities and co-teach on various subjects. Throughout the Players Exchange course, the goal is for your students to learn to collaborate effectively, drawing on the diverse perspectives of their peers from around the world. They have to figure out how they’ll work together to solve the challenge, and thus, they share their experience with partners. Solving problems together lies at the heart of what forms a group bond.
By participating in team-building activities and sharing their progress through video exchanges with partner classrooms, students will no doubt gain a deeper understanding of the different cultures, values, and perspectives that shape our global community. This hands-on approach helps students realize that teamwork transcends borders, fostering mutual respect and cooperation in a way that standard classroom learning often cannot achieve. It’s one of those rare opportunities to really bond with a group of people over some creative work that sticks with us long after we’ve completed the task.
Off-Season Training and Team Building
What’s great about the Players Exchange is that it falls in line with all the other abilities that we educators are expected to nurture in our four walls; the course emphasizes critical thinking, cross-cultural communication, creativity, and collaboration—essential 21st-century skills that prepare students for the challenges of the future.
Take the team-building challenge as an example: in the course, students do a team-building activity and then have to create their own for their international partner to perform. An exercise like this ropes in all the soft skills that we can’t teach from a textbook or a learning module. Then, when they’re reflecting on their experiences, or responding to feedback from their global partners, students are constantly encouraged to think creatively and work together to solve problems. In this way, the program offers a unique opportunity for students to take ownership of their learning, empowering them to become more effective communicators, collaborators, and leaders.
It’s Out of the Park!
The Players Exchange intends to break down geographical barriers, creating a virtual classroom where students from different parts of the world can learn from one another. As students engage in video exchanges, they not only share their progress but also connect on a personal level, building relationships with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds. And what’s more, your students won’t just connect with international students of a similar age–they’ll get the chance to talk to real Major League Baseball players! Sure, they’ll hear about baseball, but in addition, these star athletes will discuss what’s at the heart of all sports: teamwork and collaboration.
The actual “players” set the Players Exchange apart from the other great course selections of Level Up Village; the unique integration of insights from Major League Baseball players hits a new high for virtual exchanges. By hearing firsthand from professional athletes about the importance of resilience and perseverance, students are inspired to apply these same principles in their own lives. Sports, after all, is a universal language, and the lessons learned on the field—such as the value of working together, respecting diverse perspectives, and striving toward a common goal—are just as relevant in the classroom and beyond.
This global exchange seeks to foster empathy, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for the differences and commonalities that unite us as humans. In a way, that’s the aim of all competitive games, isn’t it? The Players Exchange hopes to expose your students to new perspectives and ideas, broadening their horizons and helping them become more informed global citizens.
Put Me in the Game, Coach!
So, if this experience is really meant to be an exchange, what’s in it for the players? Players Trust is the charitable arm of MLB Players Association responsible for getting the star athletes involved. Players Trust writes, “Youth development is a cause that resonates deeply with many of the players, and it’s one of the most meaningful ways they choose to invest their time and resources.” They agree with many educators that the values young people learn through sports—such as teamwork, perseverance, and leadership—have a profound impact on everyone, not just those top athletes. They continue, “The platform of sport has the power to shape young lives in many ways, regardless of whether a child is an athlete or simply learning life skills through participation.”
So, by sponsoring programs like Level Up Village’s course Players Exchange that focus on such skills as collaboration, inclusion, and personal growth, Players Trust hopes to reach a broad range of students and provide great opportunities to foster these that extend beyond the field. It allows us, in concert with this faction of Major League Baseball, to promote development in a wider group of young people, empowering them with significant skills that will prove necessary in their future.
The Highlights Reel
The MLB Players Exchange is more than just an educational program; it’s an opportunity for students to step up to the plate and take a swing at becoming well-rounded, thoughtful individuals. By fostering critical skills such as teamwork, creativity, and cross-cultural communication, this initiative prepares your young learners not only for success in the classroom but for many of the challenges they will face throughout life. In connecting with peers from around the world and learning from the experiences of Major League Baseball players, students can hopefully build meaningful relationships and gain insights that will last long after the final video exchange.
Just like in baseball, success in life isn’t about going at it alone—it’s about working together, learning from each other, and always striving to do better. With the MLB Players Exchange, students have the chance to develop these essential skills and hit a home run, both on and off the field.
