ATLANTA — Rain couldn’t stop Major League Baseball’s historically Black party on Friday night.
Not even a 39-minute weather delay could wash away the spirit of celebration at the 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic, held at Truist Park, home field of the Atlanta Braves. The sky may have been overcast for the annual Black college all-star game, but the talent shone through.
From the moment fans began to arrive, it was clear this was more than just a baseball game — it was a family reunion, a block party, and a showcase of rising talent.
Historically Black College and University (HBCU) pride was on full display. Alumni rocked gear from Jackson State, Morehouse, North Carolina A&T, and many more MEAC and SWAC schools. Divine 9 members strolled in synchronized steps on top of the dugouts. Families laughed, posed for pictures, and danced in the aisles, soundtracked by the Georgia Mass Band, whose mix of high school and HBCU musicians slid to the left and right while playing “Flex” and other classics. The smell of popcorn and hot dogs filled the air as the crowd moved through the concourse, looking for cover and refreshments.
Before the delay, the National League got on the board first with a solo home run by Kameron Douglas, a Georgia native who attends Alabama State. He launched it to dead center in the bottom of the second inning. Not long after, North Carolina A&T freshman JT Taylor stepped up for the American League and smashed a two-run double that just missed going over the wall. It was loud, and you could feel the momentum shift.
Then the rain came … but, somehow, it didn’t kill the vibe.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came from the game’s MVP, Florida A&M’s Jay Campbell. With two outs and two strikes in the seventh inning, the freshman launched a 400-foot line drive over the left field wall, tying the game and igniting the crowd.
“It felt good to represent my school,” Campbell said after the game. “It was a great experience — a lot of people, a great crowd. Playing at Truist and getting to meet someone like Ken Griffey Jr… . that’s something I won’t forget.”
Griffey, who founded the HBCU Swingman Classic, was seen earlier in the night taking photos in the dugout, speaking with players, and embracing his role as mentor.
In the eighth inning, the National League pulled ahead for good, adding some insurance runs with two outs. By the ninth, the crowd was swaying in unison to “Swag Surf,” every arm moving to the rhythm, nobody off-beat. The National League secured a 7–4 win, but the celebration was far from over.
As fireworks lit up Truist Park, players and families stood shoulder to shoulder, looking up and soaking it in. Outside the stadium, the Battery Atlanta, a complex of restaurants and entertainment venues surrounding the stadium, stayed alive with music and dancing long after the final out.
