HBCU baseball takes the spotlight at MLB All-Star Week thanks to Ken Griffey Jr.’s Swingman Classic showcase in Atlanta.

To Ken Griffey Jr., the picture – and the goal – is simple. “If you look at what’s going on in baseball, (there are) a lot of kids of color who are not playing baseball even though they may love the game of baseball,” Griffey told USA TODAY Sports by phone. “They’re not getting the recognition that they would like to advance to the next level.”