A baseball themed sustainability innovation competition for high school and college teams. Students design real, implementable ideas for making ballparks greener, then pitch them live on Earth Day in Dallas. The competition is announced on 22 October 2026.
Status. The Green Diamond Challenge is announced on 22 October 2026. Ballpark partners, the judging panel and prize details are being finalized. Registration opens at launch.
Teams design real, implementable ideas for making baseball ballparks and stadiums more environmentally sustainable. Proposals address energy, water, waste and fan experience challenges facing professional ballparks today, organized around the bases, from ballpark operations at first base to a game changing big idea at home run.
Finalists pitch live and are recognized on Earth Day in Dallas, then celebrated again at a ballgame, with prizes centered on the ballpark experience.
The program builds on sustainability work already underway across Major League ballparks, including in seat recycling, field irrigation drawn from non potable sources, drought tolerant landscaping and league wide Green Team initiatives. Students get real world models to study and improve on, and clubs get a pipeline of fresh, youth driven ideas.
Engage high school and college students in environmental problem solving tied to a sport they already care about.
Surface practical, scalable sustainability ideas that a club and its league partners could actually test.
Put student work in front of professional operations staff and one of the largest environmental gatherings in the country.
Create positive local press and community connection around Earth Day and the start of baseball season.
Four categories, mapped to the bases. Teams round the diamond from ballpark basics to a full swing for the fences idea.
Reduce the energy, water and waste footprint. Expanded recycling, single use plastic reduction, solar and shade parking structures.
Student designed ideas for reusable cup systems, transit incentives and gamified recycling that improve fan behavior on game day.
Water efficient irrigation, native and drought tolerant turf, and compost to mulch loops from concessions waste.
An open category for a bold, big swing concept. A net zero ballpark model, or a circular economy concessions system.
The challenge is organized by a committee spanning professional baseball, regional business and Rotary.
Professional baseball agent, and the son of Billy Martin, the New York Yankees second baseman who went on to manage the Yankees. He brings a direct line into the game and the people who run it.
Vice President of Development at the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce. She anchors the program in the Dallas Fort Worth business community and connects it to area schools and sponsors.
Chairman of the United States Green Chamber of Commerce, Director for Western North America of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, and President of the Rotary Club of Newport Beach. He connects the challenge to Rotary clubs, districts and boards across the country.
The judging panel is being assembled from three groups.
Sustainability and operations staff who run the facility day to day and know what is buildable.
A current or former player joining the panel as guest judge.
A representative from the Green Team and Green Sports Alliance network, for national credibility.
Prizes are being assembled by Billy Martin Jr. through his relationships across professional baseball. Specifics are confirmed closer to launch.
A ballpark experience package, signed baseball memorabilia, a feature spot on the main stage, and a feasibility review of the team’s idea by ballpark operations staff.
Game tickets and signed baseball memorabilia.
Recognition at a Major League ballgame, plus a certificate and a press release their school can run.
A visit to the winning school from players or alumni.
The competition is announced and team recruitment opens, six months before the Earth Day finale.
Written proposals and pitch videos due.
Judging by track and finalist selection, in the weeks before Earth Day.
Live pitches and the awards ceremony in Dallas.
Winners recognized on the field after the Earth Day ceremony.
Recruitment opens 22 October 2026. Tell us you are interested and we will make sure your team gets the materials first.