Phillies’ Rhys Hoskins Pledges Respect, Fair Play to Baseball Youth at Japan All-Star Series

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Philadelphia Phillies 1B/LF Rhys Hoskins continues to prove he is just as much a leader and positive role model off the field, as he is on.

Prior to the MLB All-Stars' 7-6 defeat against Samurai Japan in the Japan All-Star Series Friday at the sold-out Tokyo Dome, Hoskins and Japanese outfielder Kazuma Okamoto pledged the "Players Oath" — integrity and sportsmanship — to more than four-dozen youth baseball players.

"Today, we declare as a team and as individuals our dedication to fair play in all aspects of the game of baseball," Hoskins told the kids, who were invited onto the field. "We promise to respect each other, our competitors, the umpires and the game itself. We'll promise to abide by the rules and give 100 percent effort to provide the best possible performance for the fans here tonight."

The "Players Oath" is a tradition for Japanese youth baseball tournaments, where each participant pledges to attending adults their intent to "play with respect and fair play," according to MLB.com. The oath was switched in this instance, as Hoskins and Okamoto — representing both All-Star teams — took a pledge to attending youth baseball players.

MLB.com's Alyson Footer writes:

Major League Baseball, having made an unprecedented commitment to youth baseball in the past several years, saw the Japan series as a prime opportunity to present the first Players Oath to Japanese baseball fans who are used to hearing similar pledges, but only from the kids.

MLB was supported in the venture by both Nippon Professional Baseball and The Baseball Federation of Japan in this public service campaign, a highlight of the new "Time for Fair Play" campaign that promotes year-round awareness of the importance of integrity in sports.

Hoskins said the on-field pledge was a "really cool moment," and it reminded him of his childhood, when he watched and played Little League Baseball.

"The symmetry, the full-circle moment of [how] they're trying to get where we are and now we're saying what they usually say to us," Hoskins said. "I grew up watching the Little League World Series, and I played Little League. There was always an emphasis on sportsmanship there. Whether it's between the two teams or at the opening ceremony."

Hoskins was a similar leader for American baseball youth during the MLB Little League Classic this past summer in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Jim Small, Vice President, Major League Baseball's Asia Pacific, said the oath was important to send the message to kids that the players will play with "respect and fair play," and "work really hard to do everything the right way."

Five games remain for the MLB All-Stars in the Japan All-Star Series. Phillies first baseman Carlos Santana launched a three-run home run in the Friday loss, while Hoskins went 1-for-3 with a run scored, walk and two strikeouts.