diff --git a/models/play.py b/models/play.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..047652a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/models/play.py
@@ -0,0 +1,282 @@
+"""
+Play-by-Play Data Model
+
+Represents a single play in a baseball game with complete statistics and game state information.
+This model matches the database schema at /database/app/routers_v3/stratplay.py.
+
+NOTE: ID fields have corresponding optional model object fields for API-populated nested data.
+Future enhancement could add validators to ensure consistency between ID and model fields.
+"""
+from typing import Optional, Literal
+from pydantic import Field, field_validator
+from models.base import SBABaseModel
+from models.game import Game
+from models.player import Player
+from models.team import Team
+
+
+class Play(SBABaseModel):
+    """
+    Play-by-play data model for SBA games.
+
+    Represents a single play in a baseball game with complete
+    statistics and game state information.
+    """
+
+    # Core fields (game_id/pitcher_id optional when nested objects provided)
+    game_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Game ID this play belongs to")
+    game: Optional[Game] = Field(None, description="Game object (API-populated)")
+    play_num: int = Field(..., description="Sequential play number in game")
+    pitcher_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Pitcher ID")
+    pitcher: Optional[Player] = Field(None, description="Pitcher object (API-populated)")
+    on_base_code: str = Field(..., description="Base runners code (e.g., '100', '011')")
+    inning_half: Literal['top', 'bot'] = Field(..., description="Inning half")
+    inning_num: int = Field(..., description="Inning number")
+    batting_order: int = Field(..., description="Batting order position")
+    starting_outs: int = Field(..., description="Outs at start of play")
+    away_score: int = Field(..., description="Away team score before play")
+    home_score: int = Field(..., description="Home team score before play")
+
+    # Optional player IDs
+    batter_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Batter ID")
+    batter: Optional[Player] = Field(None, description="Batter object (API-populated)")
+    batter_team_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Batter's team ID")
+    batter_team: Optional[Team] = Field(None, description="Batter's team object (API-populated)")
+    pitcher_team_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Pitcher's team ID")
+    pitcher_team: Optional[Team] = Field(None, description="Pitcher's team object (API-populated)")
+    batter_pos: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Batter's position")
+
+    # Base runner information
+    on_first_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Runner on first ID")
+    on_first: Optional[Player] = Field(None, description="Runner on first object (API-populated)")
+    on_first_final: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Runner on first final base")
+    on_second_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Runner on second ID")
+    on_second: Optional[Player] = Field(None, description="Runner on second object (API-populated)")
+    on_second_final: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Runner on second final base")
+    on_third_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Runner on third ID")
+    on_third: Optional[Player] = Field(None, description="Runner on third object (API-populated)")
+    on_third_final: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Runner on third final base")
+    batter_final: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Batter's final base")
+
+    # Statistical fields (all default to 0)
+    pa: int = Field(0, description="Plate appearance")
+    ab: int = Field(0, description="At bat")
+    run: int = Field(0, description="Runs scored")
+    e_run: int = Field(0, description="Earned runs")
+    hit: int = Field(0, description="Hits")
+    rbi: int = Field(0, description="RBIs")
+    double: int = Field(0, description="Doubles")
+    triple: int = Field(0, description="Triples")
+    homerun: int = Field(0, description="Home runs")
+    bb: int = Field(0, description="Walks")
+    so: int = Field(0, description="Strikeouts")
+    hbp: int = Field(0, description="Hit by pitch")
+    sac: int = Field(0, description="Sacrifice flies")
+    ibb: int = Field(0, description="Intentional walks")
+    gidp: int = Field(0, description="Grounded into double play")
+    bphr: int = Field(0, description="Ballpark home runs")
+    bpfo: int = Field(0, description="Ballpark flyouts")
+    bp1b: int = Field(0, description="Ballpark singles")
+    bplo: int = Field(0, description="Ballpark lineouts")
+    sb: int = Field(0, description="Stolen bases")
+    cs: int = Field(0, description="Caught stealing")
+    outs: int = Field(0, description="Outs recorded")
+
+    # Pitching rest/workload fields
+    pitcher_rest_outs: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Pitcher rest in outs")
+    inherited_runners: int = Field(0, description="Inherited runners")
+    inherited_scored: int = Field(0, description="Inherited runners scored")
+    on_hook_for_loss: int = Field(0, description="On hook for loss")
+
+    # Advanced metrics
+    wpa: float = Field(0.0, description="Win probability added")
+    re24_primary: Optional[float] = Field(None, description="RE24 primary")
+    re24_running: Optional[float] = Field(None, description="RE24 running")
+    run_differential: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Run differential")
+
+    # Defensive players
+    catcher_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Catcher ID")
+    catcher: Optional[Player] = Field(None, description="Catcher object (API-populated)")
+    catcher_team_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Catcher's team ID")
+    catcher_team: Optional[Team] = Field(None, description="Catcher's team object (API-populated)")
+    defender_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Defender ID")
+    defender: Optional[Player] = Field(None, description="Defender object (API-populated)")
+    defender_team_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Defender's team ID")
+    defender_team: Optional[Team] = Field(None, description="Defender's team object (API-populated)")
+    runner_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Runner ID")
+    runner: Optional[Player] = Field(None, description="Runner object (API-populated)")
+    runner_team_id: Optional[int] = Field(None, description="Runner's team ID")
+    runner_team: Optional[Team] = Field(None, description="Runner's team object (API-populated)")
+
+    # Defensive plays
+    check_pos: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Position checked")
+    error: int = Field(0, description="Errors")
+    wild_pitch: int = Field(0, description="Wild pitches")
+    passed_ball: int = Field(0, description="Passed balls")
+    pick_off: int = Field(0, description="Pick offs")
+    balk: int = Field(0, description="Balks")
+
+    # Game situation
+    is_go_ahead: bool = Field(False, description="Go-ahead play")
+    is_tied: bool = Field(False, description="Tied game")
+    is_new_inning: bool = Field(False, description="New inning")
+
+    # Player handedness
+    hand_batting: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Batter handedness (L/R/S)")
+    hand_pitching: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Pitcher handedness (L/R)")
+
+    # Validators from database model
+    @field_validator('on_first_final')
+    @classmethod
+    def no_final_if_no_runner_one(cls, v, info):
+        """Validate on_first_final is None if no runner on first."""
+        if info.data.get('on_first_id') is None:
+            return None
+        return v
+
+    @field_validator('on_second_final')
+    @classmethod
+    def no_final_if_no_runner_two(cls, v, info):
+        """Validate on_second_final is None if no runner on second."""
+        if info.data.get('on_second_id') is None:
+            return None
+        return v
+
+    @field_validator('on_third_final')
+    @classmethod
+    def no_final_if_no_runner_three(cls, v, info):
+        """Validate on_third_final is None if no runner on third."""
+        if info.data.get('on_third_id') is None:
+            return None
+        return v
+
+    @field_validator('batter_final')
+    @classmethod
+    def no_final_if_no_batter(cls, v, info):
+        """Validate batter_final is None if no batter."""
+        if info.data.get('batter_id') is None:
+            return None
+        return v
+
+    def descriptive_text(self, away_team: Team, home_team: Team) -> str:
+        """
+        Generate human-readable description of this play for key plays display.
+
+        Args:
+            away_team: Away team object (for team abbreviations)
+            home_team: Home team object (for team abbreviations)
+
+        Returns:
+            Formatted string like: "Top 3: Player Name (NYY) homers in 2 runs"
+        """
+        # Determine inning text
+        inning_text = f"{'Top' if self.inning_half == 'top' else 'Bot'} {self.inning_num}"
+
+        # Determine team abbreviation based on inning half
+        away_score = self.away_score
+        home_score = self.home_score
+        if self.inning_half == 'top':
+            away_score += self.rbi
+        else:
+            home_score += self.rbi
+        
+        score_text = f'tied at {home_score}'
+        if home_score > away_score:
+            score_text = f'{home_team.abbrev} up {home_score}-{away_score}'
+        else:
+            score_text = f'{away_team.abbrev} up {away_score}-{home_score}'
+
+        # Build play description based on play type
+        description_parts = []
+        which_player = 'batter'
+
+        # Offensive plays
+        if self.homerun > 0:
+            if self.rbi == 1:
+                description_parts.append("homers")
+            else:
+                description_parts.append(f"homers in {self.rbi} runs")
+        elif self.triple > 0:
+            description_parts.append("triples")
+            if self.rbi > 0:
+                description_parts.append(f"scoring {self.rbi} run{'s' if self.rbi > 1 else ''}")
+        elif self.double > 0:
+            description_parts.append("doubles")
+            if self.rbi > 0:
+                description_parts.append(f"scoring {self.rbi} run{'s' if self.rbi > 1 else ''}")
+        elif self.hit > 0:
+            description_parts.append("singles")
+            if self.rbi > 0:
+                description_parts.append(f"scoring {self.rbi} run{'s' if self.rbi > 1 else ''}")
+        elif self.bb > 0:
+            if self.ibb > 0:
+                description_parts.append("intentionally walked")
+            else:
+                description_parts.append("walks")
+            if self.rbi > 0:
+                description_parts.append(f"scoring {self.rbi} run{'s' if self.rbi > 1 else ''}")
+        elif self.hbp > 0:
+            description_parts.append("hit by pitch")
+            if self.rbi > 0:
+                description_parts.append(f"scoring {self.rbi} run{'s' if self.rbi > 1 else ''}")
+        elif self.sac > 0:
+            description_parts.append("sacrifice fly")
+            if self.rbi > 0:
+                description_parts.append(f"scoring {self.rbi} run{'s' if self.rbi > 1 else ''}")
+        elif self.sb > 0:
+            description_parts.append("steals a base")
+        elif self.cs > 0:
+            which_player = 'catcher'
+            description_parts.append("guns down a baserunner")
+        elif self.gidp > 0:
+            description_parts.append("grounds into double play")
+        elif self.so > 0:
+            which_player = 'pitcher'
+            description_parts.append(f"gets a strikeout")
+        # Defensive plays
+        elif self.error > 0:
+            which_player = 'defender'
+            description_parts.append("commits an error")
+            if self.rbi > 0:
+                description_parts.append(f"allowing {self.rbi} run{'s' if self.rbi > 1 else ''}")
+        elif self.wild_pitch > 0:
+            which_player = 'pitcher'
+            description_parts.append("uncorks a wild pitch")
+        elif self.passed_ball > 0:
+            which_player = 'catcher'
+            description_parts.append("passed ball")
+        elif self.pick_off > 0:
+            which_player = 'runner'
+            description_parts.append("picked off")
+        elif self.balk > 0:
+            which_player = 'pitcher'
+            description_parts.append("balk")
+        else:
+            # Generic out
+            if self.outs > 0:
+                which_player = 'pitcher'
+                description_parts.append(f'records out number {self.starting_outs + self.outs}')
+
+        # Combine parts
+        if description_parts:
+            play_desc = " ".join(description_parts)
+        else:
+            play_desc = "makes a play"
+
+        player_dict = {
+            'batter': self.batter,
+            'pitcher': self.pitcher,
+            'catcher': self.catcher,
+            'runner': self.runner,
+            'defender': self.defender
+        }
+        team_dict = {
+            'batter': self.batter_team,
+            'pitcher': self.pitcher_team,
+            'catcher': self.catcher_team,
+            'runner': self.runner_team,
+            'defender': self.defender_team
+        }
+
+        # Format: "Top 3: Derek Jeter (NYY) homers in 2 runs, NYY up 2-0"
+        return f"{inning_text}: {player_dict.get(which_player).name} ({team_dict.get(which_player).abbrev}) {play_desc}, {score_text}"
diff --git a/utils/discord_helpers.py b/utils/discord_helpers.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..793cf1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/utils/discord_helpers.py
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+"""
+Discord Helper Utilities
+
+Common Discord-related helper functions for channel lookups,
+message sending, and formatting.
+"""
+from typing import Optional, List
+import discord
+from discord.ext import commands
+
+from models.play import Play
+from models.team import Team
+from utils.logging import get_contextual_logger
+
+logger = get_contextual_logger(__name__)
+
+
+async def get_channel_by_name(
+    bot: commands.Bot,
+    channel_name: str
+) -> Optional[discord.TextChannel]:
+    """
+    Get a text channel by name from the configured guild.
+
+    Args:
+        bot: Discord bot instance
+        channel_name: Name of the channel to find
+
+    Returns:
+        TextChannel if found, None otherwise
+    """
+    from config import get_config
+
+    config = get_config()
+    guild_id = config.guild_id
+
+    if not guild_id:
+        logger.error("GUILD_ID not configured")
+        return None
+
+    guild = bot.get_guild(guild_id)
+    if not guild:
+        logger.error(f"Guild {guild_id} not found")
+        return None
+
+    channel = discord.utils.get(guild.text_channels, name=channel_name)
+
+    if not channel:
+        logger.warning(f"Channel '{channel_name}' not found in guild {guild_id}")
+        return None
+
+    return channel
+
+
+async def send_to_channel(
+    bot: commands.Bot,
+    channel_name: str,
+    content: Optional[str] = None,
+    embed: Optional[discord.Embed] = None
+) -> bool:
+    """
+    Send a message to a channel by name.
+
+    Args:
+        bot: Discord bot instance
+        channel_name: Name of the channel
+        content: Text content to send
+        embed: Embed to send
+
+    Returns:
+        True if message sent successfully, False otherwise
+    """
+    channel = await get_channel_by_name(bot, channel_name)
+
+    if not channel:
+        logger.error(f"Cannot send to channel '{channel_name}' - not found")
+        return False
+
+    try:
+        # Build kwargs to avoid passing None for embed
+        kwargs = {}
+        if content is not None:
+            kwargs['content'] = content
+        if embed is not None:
+            kwargs['embed'] = embed
+
+        await channel.send(**kwargs)
+        logger.info(f"Sent message to #{channel_name}")
+        return True
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Failed to send message to #{channel_name}: {e}")
+        return False
+
+
+def format_key_plays(
+    plays: List[Play],
+    away_team: Team,
+    home_team: Team
+) -> str:
+    """
+    Format top plays into embed field text.
+
+    Args:
+        plays: List of Play objects (should be sorted by WPA)
+        away_team: Away team object
+        home_team: Home team object
+
+    Returns:
+        Formatted string for embed field, or empty string if no plays
+    """
+    if not plays:
+        return ""
+
+    key_plays_text = ""
+
+    for play in plays:
+        # Use the Play.descriptive_text() method (already includes score)
+        play_description = play.descriptive_text(away_team, home_team)
+        key_plays_text += f"{play_description}\n"
+
+    return key_plays_text