Nearly 1,000 Youth Leaders to Take the Bases At CHS Field on May 5

ST. PAUL, MN (April 29, 2026) - At a time when school districts across the country are working to address chronic absenteeism and student well-being, nearly 1,000 elementary school students from across the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota will gather at CHS Field on Tuesday, May 5, making a different kind of news. They are the students who made their schools a place where kids want to be.

The Playworks Youth Leadership Summit, hosted by the St. Paul Saints, under the team's Fun Is Good platform, brings together student leaders from elementary schools across the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota for end-of-year recognition and a day at the ballpark. In schools that partner with Playworks, students lead games at recess with younger peers, help resolve conflicts on the playground, and make sure every kid has someone to play with. The Summit is their day to be recognized.

“These students are shaping what it feels like to walk into their school. They are creating the kind of place where kids feel seen, included, and part of something—and raising what’s possible for everyone around them.” Shauna McDonald, Playworks MN Executive Director.

The Summit will feature two main experience zones: a Fun Is Good open play area, including a Baseball5 activation led by USA Baseball and supported by the Minnesota Twins, where students initiate play and build connection; and school spirit stations, where students celebrate their schools, their leadership, and express themselves as Junior Coaches. The day culminates in a parade on the warning track, bringing all schools together in recognition.

The event is hosted by the St. Paul Saints at CHS Field and supported by Blaze Credit Union and Treasure Island Resort and Casino. These partners are not only supporting the event. They are also showing up alongside volunteers from across the community to be part of the experience with students.

"At the Saints, we’ve always believed that fun can be a force for good—and these students prove it every day. What they’re doing in their schools—bringing kids together, making sure everyone feels included, and stepping up as leaders—is exactly the kind of impact we love to support, said Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Zane Heinselman. “We’re proud to welcome them to CHS Field with our friends at Playworks and partners at Treasure Island and Blaze and celebrate everything they’ve accomplished this year."

May 5 is a celebration of what these kids built at their schools all year and a reminder of what's possible when students, schools, and community partners show up for each other.

Media Information

Date and time: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 10:30 am to 1:00 pm
Location: CHS Field, 360 Broadway St., St. Paul, MN 55101
Available for interview: Shauna McDonald (Playworks Minnesota), participating school principals, parents of student leaders, junior coaches (parental consent on file), and representatives from St. Paul Saints, USA Baseball, Blaze Credit Union, and Treasure Island Resort and Casino.
Visual highlights: Parade on the warning track, school spirit stations, and student leaders in action across the field.
RSVP for media credentials: Shauna McDonald, [email protected], 612-281-1876, by Friday, May 1.
Photography: Photos and a video edit will be available after the event.

About Playworks

Playworks is a national nonprofit that has partnered with schools and districts for 30 years to build the conditions where every student can play, belong, lead, and learn, reaching more than 5.3 million students in 6,000 schools across the country. Independent research from Mathematica and Stanford University, an evaluation from RAND, and findings published in peer-reviewed journals support the model.

Playworks Minnesota has been partnering with schools and districts across the state for more than 16 years, currently working in 40 schools and reaching more than 25,000 students. We partner with schools and districts to strengthen student engagement and school culture, helping students build connection, leadership, and a sense of belonging at a time when schools are navigating rising absenteeism, behavioral health challenges, and increased demands on staff. Learn more at playworks.org.

About the St. Paul Saints

The St. Paul Saints are the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins and have been promoting fun for 33 seasons. Known for their promotional wizardry, the Saints are widely recognized as one of the most entertaining teams in professional sports. Since 1993, they have combined championship-caliber baseball with a one-of-a-kind fan experience at CHS Field in downtown Saint Paul, delivering affordable, family-friendly fun while developing players on their path to Major League Baseball. The team's Fun Is Good platform extends to community partnerships across the Twin Cities, including youth sports initiatives, the Reading Tree program, and the team's longstanding investment in St. Paul schools.