MADISON, Ala. | For the first time in program history, the Alabama A&M University baseball team will be taking on an international team in an exhibition game as the Bulldogs will participate in the Global Baseball Series, announced on Tuesday at Toyota Field.
 
In a historic press conference at Toyota Field, the Rocket City Trash Pandas in partnership with the TOYOTA Red cruisers, a Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Alabama A&M University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville announced the Global Baseball Series 2026, an international community-driven cultural exchange event.
 
This exhibition series brings the TOYOTA Red Cruisers—a team comprised of Full-time Athlete Employees from Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan—to North Alabama. The visit serves as a bridge for cultural and educational exchange, celebrating the long-standing community partnership between Japan and the North Alabama region. 
 
Alabama A&M will open three days of exhibition baseball, starting on Monday, March 30 as the Bulldogs play the TOYOTA Red Cruisers at Toyota Field.
 
"Alabama A&M baseball is excited about this opportunity and honored to be a part of the Global Baseball Series," AAMU head coach Louis Whitlow said. "As a new era starts with Bulldog Baseball, our goal is to expose our student-athletes at the highest level and this partnership with the Rocket City Trash Pandas is just the beginning."
 
Global Baseball Series Schedule at TOYOTA Field: 
Monday, March 30: TOYOTA Red Cruisers vs. Alabama A&M University 
Tuesday, March 31: Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. University of Alabama Huntsville 
Wednesday, April 1: Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. TOYOTA Red Cruisers  
 
All games in the Global Baseball Series will feature a 6:35 pm first pitch, with gates opening at 5:30 pm. Ticket information will be announced soon. 
    
ABOUT THE TOYOTA RED CRUISERS: 
The Toyota Red Cruisers are the official corporate baseball team of Toyota Motor Corporation, competing in Japan's elite industrial league system and serving as one of the nation's premier development pipelines to professional Japanese baseball and the Samurai Japan national team. Renowned for their consistent success and commitment to excellence, the Red Cruisers play a vital role in producing elite athletes capable of competing on the global stage. The program integrates advanced performance technology developed in collaboration with Toyota Research Institute, utilizing motion capture and biomechanical analytics to create customized training programs that enhance player development. This innovation-driven approach reflects Toyota's broader philosophy of precision, discipline, and continuous improvement (Kaizen).  
 
The Red Cruisers' impact is underscored by a proven track record of international achievement, including alums selected to Samurai Japan who have competed in the World Baseball Classic and Olympic Games – earning gold medals at the highest level of international competition. Furthermore, Baseball Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki was appointed as Special Assistant to Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda in 2024, and his involvement is expected to drive the further development of the Red Cruisers. 
 
ABOUT TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING ALABAMA:  
Located in Huntsville and a partner of the Rocket City Trash Pandas since the team's inception, Toyota Alabama supplies nearly half of all Toyota engines assembled in North America. The facility, which has been driving force in North Alabama for 25 years, has created thousands of jobs in the region while underscoring Toyota's commitment to sustainable manufacturing. Beyond the plant, Toyota is deeply committed to supporting the Huntsville community and has donated more than $24 million in support to local non-profit. 
 
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