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Hundreds of youth participate in 3rd Annual Urban Classic

ROXBURY, Mass. — The Red Sox may be out of town, but some important baseball and softball games are going on in Boston this weekend.

Hundreds of inner city youth players from across the country are competing in the third annual Urban Classic.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Urban Classic All-Star Girls’ Softball Game.

"All the things you learn as an athlete, you can take that and put it into life, whatever that might be,” said Walsh.

The Urban Classic is part of the Roxbury-based urban baseball program The Base.

The organization provides inner city student-athletes with year-round training, college showcasing and academic scholarships, and ultimately prepares these young adults for life.

More than 1,500 local kids have gone through the program.

"I think it's a great way to get these girls off the streets and anything with violence and all that crazy stuff. The sport to me was a safe haven and it has the same effect on them as well,” said The Base softball coach Ana Pimenteo.

The Base was founded five years ago by community leader Robert Lewis, Jr.

"We say when you believe you can, you can.  These are all principals that are sport, part of them are life and they're getting the same assets on the field that's going to be applied for them to be successful in life,” said Lewis.

The Urban Classic continues Sunday with the baseball tournament at Boston English High School.

Twelve teams from around the northeast, and as far away as Chicago, will compete.