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Diamond Collective signs SSK Baseball retail deal, grows Pigtown training hub
The Diamond Collective has added a retail tie-up with Japanese brand SSK Baseball as it builds out its indoor training footprint in Pigtown. The partnership arrives alongside a facility push aimed at Baltimore’s baseball and softball community. [1][7]The site’s transition to Diamond Collective operations traces back to late 2024, when the group was tapped to run the converted indoor complex with a training-first approach and plans to open more room for community programming. [2]Beyond lessons and reps, the Collective operates as a shared-impact hub—offering space, systems, and support so member nonprofits can focus on coaching and mentorship—highlighting partners such as Baltimore Urban Baseball Association and Tony Gwynn Legacy East. [3][4]Youth development is central to the model, with documented outreach and programming serving Baltimore students, as outlined in a Maryland bond initiative filing for the indoor facility. [6]Fundraising helps fuel that mission: the Field of Futures event is designed to channel support to the Collective’s member organizations. [5]On the ground, leadership has fronted the Pigtown build-out and the SSK link, with co-founder Ashref Elshazli and communications director Ckori Jones Jr. involved in operations and outreach. [1][2]