Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers Visit GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati

Today was an unforgettable day at GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati as we had the honor of launching a 13-city nationwide tour in partnership with Major League Baseball player Jake Burger and the Burger Family Foundation. This incredible initiative brings MLB players to GiGi’s Playhouse locations in cities where they are playing, helping to raise awareness and promote acceptance for individuals with Down syndrome.

We were thrilled to welcome Jake Burger, his Texas Rangers teammate Corey Seager, and Cincinnati Reds players Graham Ashcraft and Nick Lodolo to our Playhouse. During their visit, they toured our space, joined in on a Language Music N’ Our Peeps (LMNOP) program session, and took time to connect with families and participants. Led by our dedicated Program Lead Elizabeth, the LMNOP session engaged children ages 0-4 and their families in a fun-filled morning focused on language development through music and sign language. The theme of the day was the five senses, and our participants sang, danced, and laughed alongside these amazing athletes.

Jake Burger’s involvement in this initiative is especially meaningful. He recently changed his jersey number to 21 in honor of his daughter, Penelope, who was born with Down syndrome. As the only active MLB player with a child with Down syndrome, Jake and his wife, Ashlyn, have become passionate advocates for inclusion, using their platform to uplift the Down syndrome community. Their journey with Penelope has inspired them to create something bigger than baseball—championing acceptance, celebrating abilities, and supporting families like ours in impactful ways.

As the tour continues, MLB players will visit GiGi’s Playhouse locations across the country, helping to spread awareness and celebrate the incredible individuals in our community. Below is the full list of Playhouses included in the tour:

• Cincinnati – March 31
• Hoffman Estates – April 8
• Detroit – May 9
• New York City – May 19–22 (Exact Date TBD)
• Chicago – May 23
• Tampa – June 1–5 (Exact Date TBD)
• Minnesota – June 9
• San Diego – July 3–6 (Exact Date TBD)
• Orange County – July 7–10 (Exact Date TBD)
• Phoenix – August 1–3
• Sacramento – August 28–30 (Exact Date TBD)
• Houston – September 15–17 (Exact Date TBD)
• Cleveland – September 26–28 (Exact Date TBD)

We are incredibly grateful to Jake Burger, his fellow MLB players, and the Burger Family Foundation for choosing GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati as the starting point for this meaningful journey. This visit has left a lasting impact on our community, and we can’t wait to see the joy and awareness this tour will bring to Playhouses nationwide. Stay tuned for more updates as the tour continues!