Northeast Ohio Youth Baseball Coach Honored as “2025 GameChanger of the Year”

Cleveland, OH (August 20, 2025) — GameChanger, the #1 rated youth sports app for scorekeeping, livestreaming, statistics, and team management, is proud to announce Cleveland-native Coach Cory Douglass as the recipient of the “2025 GameChanger of the Year” award. Now in its fourth year, the award honors individuals making an extraordinary impact on their communities through youth sports. 

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Coach Douglass has been a cornerstone of the MLB Cleveland Guardians’ RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program for nearly 15 years, mentoring hundreds of young athletes across the 12u, 15u, 16u, and 18u levels. A former collegiate player and current assistant coach at the University of Mount Union, he brings a rare combination of baseball acumen, emotional intelligence, and unwavering dedication to every player and coach he works with. 

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Douglass will be recognized on August 26 with an on-field ceremony at Progressive Field before the Cleveland Guardians’ matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays. In his honor, GameChanger will donate $15,000 to Cleveland Guardians Charities, with the funds earmarked for the RBI program. His story will also be shared this fall across GameChanger’s digital and social platforms.

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“Coach Cory represents all that is good in youth sports,” said Sameer Ahuja, GameChanger president and DICK’S Sporting Goods senior vice president. “He not only develops skilled ballplayers through his hands-on, compassionate style of coaching, but more importantly, he shapes good people of strong character. We’re honored to recognize his selfless leadership and the lasting impact he’s had on the players he's coached and mentored in the Northeast Ohio community." 

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More than a coach, Douglass is a father figure, role model, and servant leader. Whether it’s staying late to throw batting practice or quietly covering meals and gear for players in need, Douglass consistently puts others before himself, without expectation or fanfare. 

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That selflessness has translated to success on the field. Under his leadership, the Guardians' RBI program had a record-breaking 2024 season. The 18u team achieved the most wins in a single summer in program history. The 15u team earned a spot at the prestigious RBI World Series, and the 12u team advanced to the semifinals at Cooperstown All-Star Village in just its second season. 

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“Simply put, this program would not be what it is today without Cory,” said Curtis Danburg, Cleveland Guardians Vice President, Communications and Community Impact. “He has opened doors for countless young athletes, helping them earn college scholarships, preparing them for careers, and instilling the character and work ethic they will carry for life. These are values he has poured into the program and into people, things that will outlive him and continue shaping lives long into the future.”

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MEDIA NOTE: Media are invited to cover the on-field ceremony. An official advisory with full details will be distributed on Monday. In the meantime, feel free to contact GameChanger Head of Communications, Zack Yohman, using the information below.

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About GameChanger:

GameChanger empowers athletes, coaches, and families to stay connected through live streaming, scheduling, statistics, and scorekeeping. Available on iOS, Android, and the web, GameChanger covers over 9M+ games annually and 1M+ teams a year. The live streaming and scheduling technology is available for all youth sports, with deep stats and scorekeeping capability for baseball, softball and basketball. GameChanger is based in New York City and is owned and operated by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

About the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program: 

Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) is a MLB youth outreach initiative that promotes academic achievement, increases participation from youth of diverse backgrounds, and helps develop talented athletes for collegiate and professional play. Guardians Nike RBI is a completely free program for participants, fully funded by the Cleveland Guardians Charities. All costs — including uniforms, equipment, and travel — are covered, removing financial barriers so youth can focus on what matters most: growing as athletes, teammates, and leaders.

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