Spring 2 Jack 9 Magazine by Jack 9 Baseball Magazine

RYAN TEIXEIRA ... A TRUE INSPIRATION, AND THE STORY BEHIND

17 STRONG

IN THIS ISSUE:

PLUS:

Q AND A with Dr. Brandon MartinPresident and CEO of Homefield 4 Champions

How Antoine Moten is Attempting to Make the Inner-City Elite

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hopefulness. The outlet for many of the idealists in Dominic Smith’s neighborhood became the well documented issues that have plagued South Central LA for decades. Gang colors and evening curfews a bi-product of communities devoid of productive distraction hopefulness. The outlet for many of the idealists in Dominic Smith’s neighborhood became the well documented issues that have plagued South Central LA for decades. Gang colors and evening curfews a bi-product of communities devoid of productive distraction hopefulness. The outlet for many of the idealists in Dominic Smith’s neighborhood became the well documented issues that have plagued South Central LA for decades. Gang colors and evening curfews a bi-product of communities devoid of productive distraction hopefulness. The outlet for many of the idealists in Dominic Smith’s neighborhood became Caption Copy Here. Caption Copy Here. the well documented issues that have plagued Caption Copy Here. Caption Copy Here. South Central LA for decades. Gang colors and evening curfews a bi-product of communities the well documented issues that have plagued devoid of productive distraction South Central LA for decades. Gang colors and hopefulness. The outlet for many of the ideal- evening curfews a bi-product of communities ists in Dominic Smith’s neighborhood became devoid of productive distraction the well documented issues that have plagued hopefulness. The outlet for many of the idealSouth Central LA for decades. Gang colors and ists in Dominic Smith’s neighborhood became evening curfews a bi-product of communities the well documented issues that have plagued devoid of productive distraction South Central LA for decades. Gang colors and hopefulness. The outlet for many of the ideal- evening curfews a bi-product of communities ists in Dominic Smith’s neighborhood became devoid of productive distraction the well documented issues that have plagued hopefulness. The outlet for many of the idealSouth Central LA for decades. Gang colors and ists in Dominic Smith’s neighborhood became evening curfews a bi-product of communities the well documented issues that have plagued Jack9BaseballMagazine.com is published Monthly in Los Angeles, CA. No Portions of this magazine can be reprodevoid of productive distraction South Central LA for decades. Gang colors and duced without permission. The intent of this publication is to tell the stories of those who play the game of Baseball. hopefulness. The outlet for many of the ideal- evening curfews a bi-product of communities WeDominic thank All who contribute to photos, writing and story gathering. Sometimes we make mistakes in a hurry to get ists in Smith’s neighborhood became devoid of productive distraction

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STRENGTH IN NUMBERS THE STORY BEHIND 17 STRONG By Josh Citron

THE ONLY PRESCRIPTION IS MORE BASEBALL By Josh Citron

Q and A: A CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HOMEFIELD 4 CHAMPIONS, DR. BRANDON MARTIN By Josh Citron

BASEBALL: KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BALL By Eyeonwellness.com

BASEBALL ABROAD: WHY LONDON? By Josh Citron

MY CASE FOR BASEBALL: IT’S NOT BORING By Justin O’Hea

THE RISE OF THE NEGRO LEAGUE IN AMERICA History.com

A HIDDEN GEM: HOW THE CORTLAND CRUSH ARE CHANGING LIVES IN CENTRAL NEW YORK By Sam Bloomquist

SPORTS VISION TRAINING USABaseball.com

A HISTORY OF FOOD AT THE BALLPARK By Roger Weber

PRE-GAME NUTRITION Courtesy of the US Olympic committee

EQUIPMENT REVIEW: BBCOR BATS BatandBall.com

From the Publisher... Welcome, we have some great stories in this month’s issue, including our cover story about the 17 Strong Foundation. We are moving to a Bi-Monthly format, so the next issue will becoming to your inbox in July. Enjoy the Summer! Thanks, Eric Citron, Publisher

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS THE STORY BEHIND

17 STRONG By Josh Citron Beneath the strange grey clouds stamped across a gloomy California sky, nearly 1,500 people gathered to commemorate one of the most courageous two decades ever lived - the life of Ryan Teixeira. That so many congregated at Arroyo Grande High School that afternoon, spread out on chairs atop thick tuffs of green grass, a large swath of which was emblazoned with a brilliantly white number ‘17.’, was certainly no surprise to those that knew him. There are hardly enough cliches or anecdotes to capture the true impact that Ryan Teixeira had on those around him; the stories about his kindness and charisma are replete with incidents of true selflessness and altruism that are infinitely rare. His generosity and goodwill influenced every decision he made, right down to the choice of that number ‘17’ as not only the one he would wear on the back of his baseball jersey but as a symbol for the impending battle he would have with one of nature’s cruelest afflictions. The number 17 has been worn by some incredible and even legendary baseball players but although Ryan Teixeira displayed it proudly on the back of his uniform it was not to honor some past or present all-star. It was instead a biblical reference - one he discovered at 8-years old - to victory rooted in the Old Testament and Jesus’ victory over death following his resurrection on the 17th day of the Hebrew Calendar. That Ryan was to have his own prolonged “battle with death” was unknown to him when he chose the number and instead stemmed from the devout religious faith he had carried with him his entire

life. While many make this claim, Ryan was one of the special breed that truely practiced what he preached. Even after he was sick and was beginning to struggle under the weight of multiple treatments, Ryan selflessly spread his message about perseverance and strength to anybody that was willing to listen. “For anyone who didn’t know what Ryan was about he loved helping people but he also loved helping kids.” Said Garrett Ball, Ryan’s best friend and teammate at both Arroyo Grande and the University of Colorado-Mesa where Ryan accepted a baseball scholarship in November 2014 and where Ball is currently a senior infielder hitting well over .300. “We had the chance before he passed away to go into local elementary in our community and speak to a number of students. I have this book that one of them in particular put together and it's a bunch of pictures and thank you cards about us coming in and Ryan sharing his story at the time with all the kids and me sharing my side. So that was really near and dear to his heart because we got to go in and talk to a bunch of kids.” Ryan’s story is one of both perseverance and tragedy as well as one that captures the true majesty of what can be accomplished by somebody who is genuinely a good and caring human being. Ryan coupled this elite level of empathy and charity with an impressive athletic skill that helped earn him a fully baseball scholarship to the University of Colorado-Mesa and tens of dozens of adoring fans. The 2015 graduate of Arroyo Grande High School was named Tribune County Baseball Player of the Year in his senior season as well as standing out on the

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Maverick’s football team. It was shortly after he won this prestigious honor that the young Teixeira discovered a large lump on his inner thigh. What followed was months of grueling recovery, surgery, and well-wishes from everybody that knew him. The doctors at UCLA Medical Center diagnosed Ryan with Stage 1 Ewing Sarcoma, a form of cancer so rare that it affects fewer than 300 people in the United States each year. After taking the requiRyan Teixeira was a true inspiration to everybody he met. After losing his site breath required when a battle with cancer in March 2017, Ryan's spirit, determination and selflessness family and community memcarries on through the charity he created, 17 Strong. ber gets news like this, the Teixeira family and the Arroyo Grande area friend would be able to take the field with him rallied around Ryan and pledged to help fight that spring. Ryan credited Ball as one of the rearight alongside him. Following two months of sons he decided to accept to the offer to play at chemotherapy, Ryan had a 10-pound malignant Colorado-Mesa and the two spoke everyday tumor removed from his leg and then spent the about Ryan’s progress and recovery from the summer killing any last traces of the cancer be- rare and aggressive cancer. fore being declared cancer-free. He could now set his sights on the baseball diamond and get- Ryan recovered and slowly began to build back his impressive strength.He moved to Colorado ting ready to take the field again. to officially begin his college and baseball career A year older and already ensconced in the in January of 2016. His baseball coaches and the everyday life of a college baseball player, Garrett team stayed in touch throughout his fight and Ball prayed from the proverbial sidelines that his they welcomed him with open arms.

• Providing Life Changing Experiences Through Sports •

In addition to physical therapy, Ryan worked out with the team, completed the spring semester then spent the summer back home in Pismo Beach. In August of 2016 Ryan returned to campus. In early September, Ryan traveled to Pennsylvania as a volunteer for the Little League Challenger program for one week.

“Because he was diagnosed after he turned 18years old, Make-A-Wish said they couldn’t help him and turned him down.” Ball said, “Ryan came up with this idea where he thought if someone battles something this miserable - I don’t really care what age they are - they should be able to go do something of their choice. They should be able to do something they want to do. So he came up with the idea behind 17 Strong which funds what he termed ‘Victory Trips’ for young adults fighting life threatening diseases and illness. It basically let people who fought or are currently fighting a life threatening disease go do something that they want to do. It kind of picks up where Make-A-Wish leaves off and allows those young adults, 18 and older, to go and do something that they've always wanted to do.”

After finding himself unable to shake a cold, he received the devastating news that his days of fighting death were not over. Little more than a year after his initial cancer diagnosis, Ryan was told he now would be battling acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer that starts in the bone marrow but in most cases it quickly moves into the blood and can sometimes spread to other parts of the body. Teixeira, however, was unperturbed by the new challenge, telling a reporter, "This is my bump in the road as I like to say, and everyone has bumps. It's what you do with those bumps to make Ryan's longtime girlfriend, Nicole you the person you are."

17 Strong, who’s official slogan is “Granting Victory Trips to young adults battling lifethreatening illnesses” started as Pitman, designed this unique logo for an idea to help ailing individuals She also provided all of the like Ryan and quickly turned Everyone understood that fol- 17 Strong. illustrations for Ryan's recently into a vessel for carrying out lowing on the heels of such a published children's book, Ryans true mission of helping grueling surgery and recovery, a The Toad's Code others. The concept was rooted battle with leukemia was all the more daunting. Nobody ever spoke about in the same selfless nature that was so prevalent Ryan’s possibility of losing the fight, however. as soon as you spoke to him and became a conThat type of language did not fit into the ver- gregation point for all of those people that nacular of a family and community that have a wanted to reach out and touch someone in the seemingly superhuman ability to persevere and same way Ryan had touched them. The support swelled all around the Arroyo Grande area and remain optimistic. quickly began to pick up viral status, catching “When he was battling the second time, he the attention of superstars in the sports world looked into Make-A-Wish because he said like Tim Tebow, Justin Turner and Adrian Gon‘Maybe if i'm going through something this hor- zalez who helped amplify Ryan’s message by rible then I deserve to do something cool’ and sending him personal videos with well-wishes everyone said, ‘Of course.’” Said Garrett Ball of broadcast to tens of millions on the Internet. his friend’s attempt to find some positivity in “17 strong was created 100% by Ryan,” said Ball his fight. about the budding non-profit he now helps But Ryan would run into some snags in his at- manage. “We always knew he was destined to tempts to bring additional light into his life and help people. He just had this personality where the resulting fallout would ultimately determine he never met someone that didn’t like him. He was an incredible, incredible guy and to this day his remaining legacy. he is the best person i've ever known.”

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Praise like that is found in every nook and cranny of Arroyo Grande and every fiber of the souls that raised him. His parents, Holly and Scott Teixeira, are helping carry the torch of their son’s legacy in the hopes of illuminating a darkening word with some of the positivity that guided his life. A bit of that positivity touched down right into Ryan’s hospital room as one of his favorite big league players stopped by to show support for number 17 and 17 Strong in person. “Justin [Turner] actually had the chance to meet Ryan.” Ball said of the Dodger’s star visiting UCLA Medical Center in 2016, “He went into the hospital that Ryan was being treated and they just hit it off. It was hard for people who met Ryan not to like him and Ryan and Justin had an immediate connection. He also made it pretty clear to us that he wanted to stick around and help us out and continue be a big voice in 17 Strong. So thats huge because he’s a fantastic pro athlete.” 17 Strong was continuing to gain traction through support of big names and even bigger hearts. But it was obvious that Ryan’s condition the juxtaposition between the powerful, agile two sport athlete and the desperately sick and

Ryan Teixeira decked out in swag from the University of Colorado-Mesa where he accepted a full baseball scholarship in November 2014

weary 20-year old that was profound and epitomized the unmistakable tragedy of the situation. Ryan was in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant to thwart off the blood cancer that was continuing to spread. Bone marrow drives were held at high schools and Ryan’s name was put onto a list of thousands of other individuals looking for similar help. After a furious search, it was discovered that Ryan’s brother, Aaron,

Dodger's stars (left to right): Enrique Hernandez, Justin Turner and Joc Pederson hold plates of whipped cream in their hands as part of the whipped cream challenge designed to raise money for pediatric cancer.

• Providing Life Changing Experiences Through Sports •

Justin Turner holds up Ryan's name and the #17Strong hashtag during a Stand Up for Cancer moment in the 7th inning of the 2017 World Series.

was a 100% match and would be able to donate. For a moment at least, jubilation reigned. Ryan had been given yet another chance and the ability to save his life sat just a few bedroom doors away. Triumph quickly turned to tragedy, however. Following a successful bone marrow transplant using a donation from Aaron, Ryan began to show some complications from the surgery. Only a few weeks after the transplant, Ryan began to experience severe liver and kidney issues and in early March, doctors informed Ryan’s family, his longtime girlfriend Nicole Pittman, and his close friends that they would likely be spending their final weekend with Ryan.

It is rare that something so profoundly sad is turned into something so overwhelmingly positive but the outpouring of support and the tenacity of the friends and family of Ryan Teixeira in and around his community is an unmistakable bright spot amidst gloomy news. 17 Strong did not die when Ryan passed away but instead saw a stunning influx of energy and encouragement that has those at the helm of its mission contemplating it’s continued growth. Garrett Ball has turned from Ryans best friend to his best advocate through his continued to pilgrimage to spread Ryan’s message not just throughout California but throughout the world.

“One thing that he made very clear to me before he passed away was that doesn’t want anyone to feel bad for him.” Ball said of his discussions with his best friend, making it clear that they never once entertained in conversation the idea that he wouldn’t beat cancer. “It's easy to say but obviously it's a very difficult thing for everyone close to him. That's what is so cool about 17 Strong is we are continuing to live Ryan’s legacy. He's the face but he's not here anymore so here's what we can do to help other people and live his life.”

“To be a prominent global force would be huge. I think that that is the ultimate goal and I know that it is pretty big but to be as big as Make-AWish and to be as prevalent in professional sports as Make-A-Wish.” Ball answered enthusiastically about how sees 17 Strong growing in the future, “I think that's what Ryan saw it as and I think it has the potential. We’ve already made strides with professional baseball, I flew out in January to the annual Justin Turner Foundation Golf Tournament out there where we got to meet with Justin Turner and some of the Dodgers and of course they had helped us

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out previously...So it’s there, we’re taking strides in the right direction. It doesn’t happen overnight but I think that in ten years its possible.” Not only has the future prospects of the charity gained enormous traction since his passing but Ryan has also earned posthumous credit as a published author with the publication of a children’s book he authored in early May of this year. He wrote the book “The Toad’s Code” while undergoing treatment in the hospital. The illustrations were done by his talented girlfriend, Nicole. Garret, his best friend and fellow jock was not surprised at all that this varsity letterman would author a children’s story. “Along with helping people in general he loved helping kids and disabled kids so this doesn’t surprise me at all that he would want to write a children's book.” Ball said, “He also liked helping disabled kids. We had the chance to go out to Williamsport, Pennsylvania in the Fall of 2016 for the Little League World Series and compete

in a Challenger Game there all to support disabled kids who want to play baseball.” Ryan’s grandmother, Cee Teixeira, who even Ball referred to as “Nana” in conversation, unveiled the story at Pacific Christian School in California alongside Holly and Steve Teixeira, giving personal readings to each of the classes. The book was well received by the group of 7 and 8 year old children who found the puzzle and riddle style of the books to be entertaining and the stories fun. No small feat for any children's writer. Ryan Teixeira's story is one of miraculous strength and bravery as well as incomprehensible tragedy. The loss of a young man so talented and so naturally selfless has undoubtedly left many with massive holes they will be unable to fill. But the heroic legacy he leaves in his wake will live on long past anybody who reads these words. Ryan’s legacy won’t lie in the number of dollars donated or Victory Trips booked but rather in people he has inspired and the family and friends he leaves behind who are better off because they knew him.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, Ryan's favorite team. all signed a specially made 17 Strong jersey and presented it to the Teixeira family shortly after Ryan's passing in March 2017.

• Providing Life Changing Experiences Through Sports •

THE ONLY PRESCRIPTION IS MORE BASEBALL: HOW ANTOINE MOTEN IS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE THE INNER-CITY ELITE twisted path that has broken so many families and so many hearts.

By Josh Citron

“Baseball was definitely a tool to get me where I am today.” Antoine said about how the game impacted his life, “I make a pretty good living, I work for Aerospace Corp., been there for 18 years, and I’ve done it all through the love of baseball. I think if hadn't stuck with the game I definitely would have gone off track just because of the environment and all the ways I could have went if I didn’t have the game of baseball.”

CATION AN DU

For Antoine, baseball has been woven into the fabric of his life ever since he was a kid running across dirt fields in South Central, Los Angeles. At that time, there was no expectations or visions of grandeur associated with the game but instead it was just “something to do.” But for adolescents raised amongst the degrading schools and increasing gang violence of the South Central streets, anything that consisted of a productive use of time was preferable to the often violent and deadly alternative. Antoine was determined not to become another statistic lost to the seemingly endless struggle between those that live-with and those that live-without. Even he admits that without baseball, Antoine’s idle hands would have led him down the same dark and

Every single weekday at 4am, Antoine Moten wakes up and drives to his day job at The Aerospace Corporation, a California nonprofit that operates a federally funded research and development center in El Segundo. But even as his car whizzes on below a slumbering California sky not yet illuminated by the morning sun, his mind is usually locked in on one subject baseball.

RE E ER R A DIN E

Antoine never lost his enthusiasm for the game. The passion and commitment it takes to hone a craft as technical as baseball has led him into a lucrative, stable profession that keeps food on his table and the lights on in his home. In other words, Antoine Moten is exactly who every South Central kid should be aspiring to become. Working in defense contracting isn’t quite as sexy as playing in the big leagues and studying for the bar exam doesn’t seem quite as exhilarating as warming up for a Game 7 but for Antoine Moten his mission is to create an ecosystem where success is measured using a different metric. In order to put his passion into practice, Antoine founded the Inglewood

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Antoine Moten (2nd from left, back) stands with Mets prospect and fellow South Central Product, Dom Smith (2nd from right, back) at Crenshaw High School during a tryout held in February 2018.

Inner City Elite, a youth baseball organization dedicated to improving opportunities for inner city kids like himself. For Antoine, it was an obvious response to all of the good fortune he found playing the game of baseball and most importantly the people he met along the way that gave him opportunities.

It was Antoine’s first experience outside of the confines of his Crenshaw neighborhood, tossed into a competitive, structured, high-level baseball program. While many would struggle with such a drastic change in environment, Antoine thrived by finding something in himself that he didn’t even know was missing.

“I’m a homegrown L.A. native, graduated from Crenshaw High School in ‘88, played baseball there. At the time when we were playing baseball that was just something that we did we didn’t really have an expectation and never really thought past that day.” Antoine said of his youth, “I was blessed enough to meet a guy by the name of Phil Pope who was a well known LA scout and eventually asked if I was interested in playing baseball past [high school]. At the time, I was a kid and I said “sure why not” and I was recruited to play at Los Angeles City College where I made All-conference First team.

“After I got to college, baseball kind of changed for me.” Antoine said, “I learned to love it. I developed a passion and I learned the game. I learned the game to the point where I could come back and teach it like Phil Pope. He really made it fun for me and made me realize that even if you don’t go professional you can always go back and give to the community. From there, I went to some free agent camps that he got me into and things just didn't work out [as a player]. I was never bitter about it. I did go on to finish my education. I got my degree. I came back and started teaching baseball.”

• Providing Life Changing Experiences Through Sports •

there was some information that I needed I could reach out and actually get it. That way could bring it back and teach.” Antoine’s coaching and passion for delivering hardworking and disciplined young people into society was embodied by those closest to him and those he first coached. The noticeable advantage displayed by those under Antoine’s tutelage created enough demand that it lead to the establishment of the organization now called the Inner City Elite. “Inner City Elite represents all the children that want an opportunity to play baseball in the community.” Antoine said about the mission, “In our black communities we don’t have a lot of resources and I’ve been blessed enough to be apart of a lot of kids lives. One thing that was consistent Antoine addresses a group of young ballplayers. was that parents wanted more baseball. That lead me to developing this Perhaps Antoine is of that rare breed able to casually brush off what most would consider program here and keep these guys out on the monumental disappointments without the field. We also have an educational piece so we faintest hint of regret. However, it appears more can work on tutoring because it's one thing to likely that Antoine is of a far more special build play baseball but we are going to make sure that that is able to internalize disappointment and they are academically sound too so they can failure with the ability to channel it into some- explore all their options once the game is over for them.” thing positive. Degree in hand and promising career on the horizon, it would have been easy for Antoine to use baseball as the foundation for nothing more than fond memories but instead he chose to give back to the very community that had raised him. Like so many men of great character, that mission started humbly and with his own family. “I have five nephews who all play baseball. My sons play baseball and I started off with those group of guys and they were really good.” Antoine explained while discussing the roots of the Inner City Elite, “So we attracted other players and I just got really good at teaching kids how to play the game. Because I had made so many great relationships along the way whenever

Antoine’s mission is one that is objectively positive and admirable in its design and furthermore can not be accused of any sort of malicious or financial intent regarding the future of players. The emphasis on using baseball as a means to hone life skills is perhaps a radical idea that may be beginning to foster real growth in the inner-cities of South Central. Part of the way that Antoine has helped accumulate young athletes who are willing to learn from him and trust his guidance is his dedication to an honest and open relationship with every kid he coaches. Antoine was honest and direct when asked for one simple thing parents and coaches can improve upon to help their kids. “Just a lot of healthy dialogue.” Antoine said

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without a moment's hesitation, “One thing is when I'm on the field with those kids I allow them to express themselves and tell me when they’re not happy. A lot of coaches don’t allow players to have the appropriate dialogue with them. I tell my players all the time that I’m not perfect. I give them examples where we’re in the game and I give guys some assignments, I’ve empowered them to say, ‘Hey coach, this doesn’t really work against this team.’ and I hear them out. 9 times out of 10, its the correct move. That's the way that I encourage them to always step up speak their mind and don’t be afraid to lead. Everybody doesn’t know everything. It’s about teamwork and confidence. It’s really about confidence.” Antoine allows his players to demonstrate the life skills that have helped him excel in life and figure out when and where is the appropriate time to speak up, lead, and question authority where the consequences are far less brutal than in the real world. For Antoine and the rest of his coaching staff, the reality is that none of this infrastructure he is building, both interpersonally or tangibly on the baseball field, would last an-

other day without a solid foundation of trust. “You want to develop trust.” Antoine said when discussing the most important aspect of his life changing program, “Once you get the kids to trust you, you help them develop a love and passion for what they’re doing and it’s much easier for them to learn. So that’s the first thing that you should do if you want to have any type of success on any level with a kid. You have to make sure it’s something they love. Or if this not it, let’s talk about what you do love and I’ll see what I can do to make sure you can achieve that goal as well.” What lies at the epicenter of the problem Antoine is trying to tackle is the discrepancy in exposure that will need to be uprooted and unwound from the very fiber of youth baseball. The pay-for-play model has effectively priced out communities like those found in South Central with prices for tournaments, travel teams and private coaches acting as a gatekeeper for communities that have far less disposable income than others.

• Providing Life Changing Experiences Through Sports •

“I think the passion is there its the resources that have been the problem.” Antoine said of the Inner-City exposure dilemma, “If you don’t have the opportunity to get out in front of the right people then you're never seen. So what happens in our community is if young athletes know they aren’t going to have the opportunity to be seen they are going to move on to the next sport which is basketball and football.” The paradox found in the trying to rectify the discrepancy in exposure is simply that the scouts and talent evaluators are going to flock to the areas where athletic talent is plentiful but if no scouts ever make it down to these inner cities than how will they know if the talent is there? “Just the overall price of baseball is out of control.” Antoine lamented, “Tournaments range anywhere from $700-$800 per kid, and when you can’t come up with the money to attend these events it really takes away from your opportunity to get these kids exposure.” Because of this ingrained roadblock that has frustrated people like Antoine for so long organizations like Inner City Elite offer to level the playing field in the form of exposure. Up to this point they have been unable to match their charity and goodwill with the financial resources needed to support it. However, by way of donations and personal contributions, Inner City Elite is striving to help inner-city kids hurdle that growing roadblock in order to show that good baseball is still being played in South Central. “Even with the equipment, you have guys that don’t even have cleats so you have to supply cleats. They might not have a glove.” Antoine said of the struggle to keep his players properly equipped, “Me, personally, I go out there and buy them a glove. You do whatever it takes to make them apart of this game. Not everyone is coming from a poverty stricken background but they are coming from a more structured financial background and there's not a lot of room to invest in sports for kids. So what I do is I go out and seek sponsorships and if I don’t do that I just put together the money myself and make

it work for those guys.” Antoine’s altruistic streak obviously runs deep and he strikes at something that should be incredibly obvious but simply isn’t because of how misconceptions spread. This idea that everyone from the inner-city is poverty stricken, or on food stamps or struggling to keep the lights on is a figment of media creation and out collective imagination. The reason that families and young athletes are struggling to get into the proper tournaments and attend the right showcases is because they do not have the disposable or flexible income that it takes to throw $1,000 or so at a budding baseball career. Antoine and the Inner City Elite are taking on the challenge of alleviating that burden from parents and removing the pressure having to choose between making a car payment and seeing your son spend another Saturday wandering the streets with nothing to do. “Opportunity.” Antoine answered when asked what needs to change regarding the 7.8% African-American population in Major League Baseball, “We can get more blacks on the field. That's the biggest thing because there's not a lot of brothers playing baseball right now because of that cost and low opportunity. I think with the right resources, training and development we can definitely put a dent in that percentage in major league baseball but we’re going to need their help as well. I think what happens is we get lost in the shuffle. You don’t see a lot of scouts or recruiters down in the inner-city area. That’s due to inner-city schools and baseball programs not having a lot of money, not having a practice schedule and not playing enough games. There's a number of reasons why they don’t come. I just want to use this opportunity to keep kids playing and hopefully attract some people to come down here to start taking a look at us again. Antoine relies heavily on the relationships he has built and the promises he has kept to help continue to find opportunities for his players. “I have such good relationship with folks - they just show up.” He said, “Because I try to stick to any promises that I make as far keeping these

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BASEBALL TRIVIA Name the Player: 1) Name the 4th Player in this group with a career .300 average, 500 home runs, and 100 stolen bases. (the others are Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays). 2) Who Played in the most wins. 3) Who was the last to get 3,000 hits without winning a batting title. 4) Who got 30 homers and 100 RBIs in a season for five different teams. 5) Who struck out three times in a game just once in 13 seasons. 6) Who hit .461 at home but .286 on the road. 7) Who was the last person to enter September batting over .400. 8) Who led his league in hits for three different teams. 9) Who hit .408 in a season but lost the batting title. 10) Who hit at least 40 doubles in ten seasons. 11) Who was the first 40-year-old with a 100-RBI season. 12) Who is the most recent to win consecutive MVP awards. 13) Who had the most career homers (399) without a 30-homer season. 14) Who has the highest career batting average among players with at least 300 homers. 15) Who is the only non-Yankee with 500 home runs and three championships. 16) Who are the four right-handed hitters to lead the major leagues in hitting at least three times. Answers: 1) Albert Pujols 2) Pete Rose 3) Derek Jeter 4) Gary Sheffield 5) Joe DiMaggio 6) Larry Walker (1999, for the Rockies, of course) 7) George Brett (.407 in 1980) 8) Paul Molitor (Brewers, Blue Jays, Twins) 9) Shoeless Joe Jackson in 1911, when Ty Cobb hit his .420 10) Tris Speaker 11) Dave Winfield (Toronto, 1992) 12) Miguel Cabrera 13) Al Kaline 14) Rogers Hornsby (.358) 15) David Ortiz 16) Rogers Hornsby (four times), Napoleon Lajoie (four times), Roberto Clemente, Miguel Cabrera.

â&#x20AC;˘ Providing Life Changing Experiences Through Sports â&#x20AC;˘

“This has been a match made in heaven.” Antoine said of the partnership, “Partnering with Home Field for Champions, [Co-Founders] Derron Spiller and Mike Thorne, [President and CEO] Brandon Martin these guys are helping me bring that into an everyday reality and these guys won't be missing any showcase baseball, they'll get a chance to play in front of the right people...I just really appreciate the time they take to come down to the city and see the number of innercity kids who are interested in baseball and help provide an Antoine (right) stands with President and CEO of Home Field 4 Champions, opportunity for them to get Dr. Brandon Martin. on the field. So, I’m really blessed that we’ve created guys playing the game. Just them being enthusiastic about playing baseball it brings in this relationship.” the education piece and eventually what happens is you create your own ecosystem. However you believe encounters come about, Even if we don’t turn out top notch baseball be it divine or otherwise, the partnership beplayers we want to turn out doctors, lawyers, tween Antoine Moten’s Inner City Elite and the politicians we turn out folks that can actually newly formed Home Field for Champions feels make a change in society we can be apart of the somehow pre determined. Antoine is one of the healing process by contributing at the youth most selfless and charitable individuals walking around right now and up to this point he had levels.” been unable to finance all the grand dreams he Antoine and the Inner City Elite may have found had for raising underprivileged kids. Antoine’s their perfect match however in Home Field for focus has been and continues to be centered Champions. An organization that carries with it around helping kids find what they love and an almost identical creed surrounding the lifting learn to be good people as a result of mastering up and development of inner-city athletics. that thing. He is tireless in his effort to change Home Field for Champions is national organiza- the status quo and he plans on upsetting the tion currently focused on utilizing and show- order of things by remaining steady. casing programs like Antoine’s to increase awareness nationally for the problems plaguing “Stay consistent.” Antoine advises, “Stay consisyouth sports today. The main contribution pro- tent. Don’t get frustrated with the process bevided by Home Field for Champions will come cause it’s always going to be a work in process. in the form of financial and equipment dona- Teach kids how to deal with failure because in tions from a few of the many philanthropists baseball you’re going to fail a lot more than and companies that have selflessly donated to you’re going to succeed but you just have to the cause. Recently, the Inner City Elite received stay the course. I tell parents don’t get frusa donation of $35,000 worth of baseball equip- trated. It’s a frustrating process but don't let it ment from Home Field for Champions that will deter you. We’re here at Inner City Elite to help ensure each and every kid in the program will be you keep going forward. Just stay after it. Don’t give up.” outfitted with the proper gear.

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Q ANDA: A CONVERSATION... WITH PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HOME FIELD 4 CHAMPIONS, DR. BRANDON MARTIN By Josh Citron Q: What are some of your own academic feats and achievements and how your philosophy really developed?

two classes each term, build a network within academia, and able to publish and it gave me a Plan B just in case the academic administrative work didn’t work out I could fall back on being a professor. SO everything and every turn in my life has always been focused on being an educator. Now, here I am as the President and CEO for Home Field 4 Champions and I am delighted to have this opportunity because I believe it is a platform to engender change, growth, development and hope in children’s lives who in some cases live in deplorable environments. So, I feel like I am at the apex of my journey as an educator.

A: I always thought I would be an educator. I didn’t know if it was going to be at the secondary level or at higher ed but I feel like I am an educator at heart. One of the things that I pursued at USC was my doctorate degree and I felt like that was important if I wanted to be a change agent for kids in the inner-city. One of the things that I wanted to do was earn that degree so that whenever I walked into a room people not only heard me but had to listen to me. Because anytime you earn a terminal degree of that nature people have to listen to you. That doesn't necessarily mean they have to agree but they have to listen to you. So, I carried that through my years leading up to a practitioner and LTURE AND athletic administration at USC. I CU pitched a concept and idea at the Rossier School of Education to develop a curriculum and this curricuO lum was under the umbrella of C CIA L LITERA Post-Secondary administration and student affairs and basically they charged me with developing a curriculum for athletic administration so i did that. Within that, I was able to carve out my niche of being a clinical professor - I was not on the tenure track - but i was able to teach

Q: What made you want to write about that topic and how have your views changed or evolved since then? A: The primary reason I chose that topic is because there wasn’t a large body of work that really spoke about the things that African-American male student athletes could not do. So it was basically from a deficit perspective and one of the things that I wanted to do was to bring something that was edgy, something that was fresh and to tell a new story, to have a new narrative on AfricanAmerican student athletes. It was refreshing, It was delightful and it was rewarding for me because essentially I was doing the study on myself.

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Q: Was that cathartic for you? A: No question about it. The participants I had in my study were from four highly selective institutions: USC, UCLA, Stanford and Cal - there was 28 participants in my study. It was just a rewarding experience that allowed me to bring out the student athlete voice in a different way, a compelling way. Hence, I won the Dissertation of the Year award at the college of education. When I sought out to do this work it wasn’t to make an award winning dissertation but how can I bring out these voices that have been unheard for decades. I take that experience to where I am now and one of the things that I want to do with Home Field 4 Champions is to bring out the voices in these kids. There is a population of youth that want to be the next leaders in our society and how do we position them for success? How do we teach them to navigate the world even though they have this perceived disadvantage? How do we bring out those voices and mold them into better citizens. That's my charge at this point. Q: Equality of opportunity instead of equality of outcome: Is that a philosophy that you agree with?

Dr. Martin was awarded Dissertation of the Year from USC's Rossier School of Education in 2015 for his Phenomenological Study of Academically Driven African-American Male Student-Athletes at Highly Selective Highly Selective Division-I Universities.

A: No question about it. Accountability has to be a common theme to what we do. In some cases there's youth in disadvantaged environ-

• Providing Life Changing Experiences Through Sports •

"I think courage is big. Courage to speak out against things that are wrong in the society. Courage to speak about access and opportunity. Courage to pull people up from the masses who might be living in some compromising conditions " Dr. Martin

ments that have a lot of excuses as to why they can’t perform academically, why they can’t be successful etc. All of our efforts between myself, Mike [Thorne], Derron [Spiller] and other that we have on our team is all about positioning these kids for success but teaching them about accountability. So, now that you have these tools, these resources and this access what're you going to do about it? Because at this point, there's no excuses. One of the things that I am going to talk about when I get in front of these kids is the importance of accountability and peeling the onion back and really explaining what that means because accountability has to be a common theme with these kids as they navigate the world. Regardless of what college they attend or what profession they choose - accountability has to be at the core of everything. Q: How are you going to separate Home Field 4 Champions from other organizations? A: Well, I think as it pertains to our youth a lot of organizations teach that you have to go to college to be successful in life, buy a house and fulfill that American Dream per say. One of the

ways that we’re going to distinguish ourselves from other orgs. is we’re not going to teach kids to chase money and monetary things we;re going to teach kids to chase excellence and that's an entirely different paradigm than a lot of different programs. Q: What is your ultimate goal with Home Field 4 Champions? A: Our overarching goal is to make good citizens but what does that mean? That means that we want to teach kids to have responsible actions and to understand what leadership is. Also, to prompt innovative thinking because it’s with that creativity that's going to leave that indelible mark on the world. It’s one thing to say we’re going to teach kids to go to college but we’re actually teaching kids to transform the world. I think that's two different philosophies. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach because there's one kid who might be an artist and another kid who might be an economist. So we have to take these two different skill sets and guide them to success and that takes time and that takes exposing them to the resources and to the cultural and social capital that they need

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for them to have the belief system within themselves to be able to elevate and become transformative leaders in the world today. Q: How much of it is an issue of culture and mindset for these kids? A: Much of this is environmental. It's based off of what they see and what they’re taught in their environment. So HF4C wants to be the answer to removing the barriers and countering the survival mindset of “I’m just trying to get by.” There is a saying that says you're either getting better in life or you’re getting worse. So my goal is for these kids to have a mindset that they’re getting better each day and not just trying to survive because now you have an issue of energy. Am I using my energy just trying to survive? Or am I trying to grow? That’s a tug-ofwar with a lot of these kids. We want to remove that issue of “I’m trying to survive” versus ‘I’m trying to grow.” Home Field for Champions has given me the blueprint for how to change my

life. I understand that I have to change my life and they’ve provided me with the blueprint on how to do that. Not only the blueprint but the human capital - the people. The people that can teach me how to do it from A-to-Z. I think thats what separates Home Field for Champions from a lot of other organizations where they’re not going to provide that level of depth that we are. Q: What is something that you've noticed as one of the biggest problems in amateur athletics? A: I would say we’re in this microwave society in a sense where kids come to higher education and their half-baked and the enemy is timehow much time do we have to equip these kids with what they need to be successful and how do we define true success? Is true success a kid earning a diploma or degree? What is true success? I think there are lot of psychological components and challenges that are undiagnosed and go unattended and so a kid might earn a

Dr. Martin believes in building trust as the foundation for influential relationships with younger generations.

• Providing Life Changing Experiences Through Sports •

Dr. Martin holding up one of his all-time favorite books, Mindset by Carol Dweck

college degree but still might be in crisis psychologically. I’m not sure that the model that currently exists at a lot of D-1 institutions is the right model because there is not enough time to really attend to the comprehensive needs of the student-athletes. So, it’s one thing to say “I want you to perform your writing skills so you can pass this English course.” A kid might become a better writer but is he improving his character? Is he becoming a better person? Does he understand how to navigate life and make better choices? That’s some of the components we’re going to place high emphasis on in Home Field for Champions - choices and decisions. It's really truly about failure. You’re going to make the mistakes but by the time the kid gets to that point how do we provide them with a framework for decision making that they’ve never had before? Q: Where does your philosophy and the

philosophy of Home Field for Champions fit into the current political landscape? A: Let me just say this: For kids who are trying to survive everyday, the political landscape really doesn’t pertain to them. If I am a 15 year old and I am looking for my next meal or I am really trying to stay positive when I have a grandmother on drugs or an abusive parent I am not thinking about the political landscape. So, I think that we have to be cognizant of that but we have to teach kids to be successful, not just to survive, but to chase that excellence I mentioned before despite the political landscape. Because its about making the right choices. It’s about developing that healthy self-concept and self-esteem regardless of the environment. There's a lot going on politically but if we talk about that and focus on all of the thing that may be wrong and sensationalized in the media and all of the propaganda and not focus on how

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kids can bring out the best within themselves we’re doing the kids and the organization a disservice. Q: How do you advocate for our cause in an environment that has so much activist spirit at the moment? A: Well, I think it’s about developing a population and a generation of catalysts for change advocates to instill courage in youth. I think courage is big. Courage to speak out against things that are wrong in the society. Courage to speak about access and opportunity. Courage to pull people up from the masses who might be living in some compromising conditions. Courage to be able to do all that and that is a huge undertaking - it is. But what we’re doing is, if this is all about societal change, the ultimate goal is to create a better society but we can't do it without courage. Kids can have the skillset but if they don’t have the courage to speak out about what's wrong and what's need in society then it’s all for no good. That’s really what we’re doing. You can teach a kid how to master the SAT or the ACT - that's great - but how do we teach that kid to have a voice and how to use his or her voice in a very constructive way. That’s what we’re doing. We’re producing positive leaders for change for the next generation. Not just teaching a kid how to perfect their deficiencies, that's not what Home Field for Champions is about. We’re about engendering

change and leaving an indelible mark on the world, not just this country. Q: Can you tell us about your time as a pro athlete playing basketball for the Caracas Crocodiles and the Beijing Ducks? A: When I graduated from USC I was in the LA clippers veterans camp. I thought I was going to make the team and I was the last guy cut. So, that was a pretty good 30-days of my life in getting that NBA experience - it was wonderful. One of the best parts of playing internationally was the chance for to experience a rebirth. Having to go to Beijing and for the first month not have access to an English TV channel or a restaurant that I was used to and having to adapt to a culture of different opinions, ideas and a different way of life really allowed me to grow and develop as a man. Beijing is a long way from South Central LA so it really allowed me to grow. The basketball success took care of itself. I was there for 5 months back in 1997. But when I came back from Beijing I had such a greater appreciation for the States and what we have here so it better prepared for when I had to go to Caracas, Venezuela and experience a different culture and a different basketball experience. Both Beijing and Caracas prepared me for life outside of basketball. It was a really good experience.

• Providing Life Changing Experiences Through Sports •

BASEBALL: KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BALL Eyeonwellness.com Sports vision training can help you improve your baseball game. “Many baseball athletes and coaches think of vision as just eyesight,” says Seattle sports vision optometrist Dr. Christopher Clark. “If they can see the bottom line of an eye chart, they’ll say that their vision is fine. But vision is a whole set of skills, and different sports emphasize different skills.” Sports vision is on the verge of becoming one of the most critical skills in a young athlete’s development, and players are being encouraged to do vision-based exercises. “You have to be able to pick up the speed of a fastball or the break on a curve to be an elite hitter in the majors,” says Grant Geisser, Cincinnati Reds minor league director. “It’s all about gaining that edge to be successful.” The good news is, it doesn’t matter how old you are. You can start visual sports training at any age. And the training can be relatively inexpensive and requires little time. Sports training facilities are starting to stock up with sports vision software, charts and other training equipment. Specialized personal training is available as well. There are lots of easy ways to add vision training to your regular practices.

There are lots of easy ways to add vision training to your regular practices. Here are some visually challenging drills that can be easily added into existing baseball and softball practices. Hitting drills Soft toss—where the coach kneels down beside the hitter and throws balls into the strike zone for the batter to hit—is easy to convert into a visionrelated exercise. Here are some ways to use this helpful exercise to improve hand-eye coordination and reaction speed.

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• Smaller balls and bats. Try practice golf balls or a broomstick to improve hand-eye coordination. • Colored balls. Use two or three colors of practice golf balls. Hitters can be directed to concentrate on watching the smaller ball and to react differently to the various colors. For example, a white ball could mean swing away, while a green ball means bunt. • Numbered balls. A variation on colored balls is to cover the balls with numbers and give corresponding instructions to each. • Multiple balls. Throw two balls and instruct the batter to hit either the top or bottom, further improving concentration and reaction time. • Toss from behind. Instead of softtossing balls from beside the hitter, toss them from behind. This way, the

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hitter is forced to use peripheral vision to locate the ball and also has less time to react.

• Closed eyes. Instruct the batter to keep his or her eyes closed until the ball has been tossed. At this point, the batter is instructed to open his or her eyes and locate the ball immediately for improved location and reaction time. Beyond soft toss, a number of other vision drills can help a hitter’s performance.

• Finger throws. A coach stands about six feet in front of the outside corner of the plate, winds up with no ball and instead “throws” from one to five fingers. Holding a bat, the hitter must focus on the coach’s throwing hand and call out the number of fingers thrown. As the hitter calls out the number, he or she swings through and then is required to call out a second number that appears in the coach’s catching hand. This forces the batter to watch the release point but then keep his or her vision down on the ball as it crosses the plate. Try these variations: • Partners. Pair the hitter with a teammate who stands about four feet on the inside of the plate and who “throws” the second set of fingers. • Different pitches. Increase the difficulty by giving meaning to each number of fingers thrown. One could be high inside; two could be low inside, etc. • Baseballs. Use baseballs and show pitches to the batter without releasing the ball. The hitter is required to identify the pitch (fastball, curve, etc.). • Tees. Set up two tees, one high and inside, and the other low and outside. Instruct the batter to either pull or drive the ball to the opposite field. • General area focus. Instruct the hitter to first focus on an area on the pitcher’s body, like the

hat. Then focus should shift to the pitcher’s release and then the ball. Fielding drills As with hitting, a number of different vision drills can help improve fielding.

• Different-colored balls. Instruct the fielder to throw to first if the ball hit to him or her is white, to second if the ball is green, etc. • Numbered balls. Do the same as above but with numbers written all over each ball. • Closed eyes. Have players close their eyes prior to the hit and allow them to open upon hearing the contact with the bat. • Distraction drill. Distract the fielder with runners crossing in front of the ball. • Fixation drill. Have players focus on a high-up object while performing calisthenics and agility drills, and call out instructions for movements right or left. Throwing drills

Players can be caught off balance when fielding ground balls. A good field presence can keep this mistake from happening. Instruct players to close their eyes once they’ve fielded the ball, and make the throw with their eyes closed. Players will have developed good field awareness when they are able to consistently complete throws to the target. By challenging their visual skills, some players report that they improve their focus and concentration, hand-eye coordination, alertness and field awareness, ultimately leading to better performance.

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BASEBALL ABROAD: WHY LONDON? By Josh Citron Next summer as millions of Americans flood into ballparks below the increasing heat of the mid-season sun, two of the nation’s most storied franchises will be taking America’s pastime overseas. The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees will take their century-old rivalry across the pond for a two-game series in London in an attempt to present British audiences with American baseball in its most exciting form. The venture is a new one for Commissioner Rob Manfred who is determined to follow the other three major sports league in their attempts to spread American sports to countries in Asia and Europe. Major League Baseball has been playing exhibition and regular season games abroad for many years now, including series played in both Mexico and Puerto Rico in 2018, but this will be it’s first foray into Europe. The two-game series, set to be played on June 29-30 2019, will take place in the famous London Stadium, which is set to be configured to handle a spontaneous baseball diamond in place of the normal soccer pitch. The massive outdoor arena will be outfitted to seat 55,000 fans and the Red Sox will act as the home team for both games taking the field first a mere 3,269 miles from the Yawkey Way and Fenway Park. When the first professional pitch is thrown on English soil next June, Major League Baseball will join the NFL and NBA as leagues that have brought some of their best talent to

The Yankees and Red Sox have been playing baseball games against each other since 1901 but 2019 will mark the first time the faceoff in Europe.

the UK. The NFL has actually had a working relationship with England and city of London since 2007 and has played at least one game across the pond in each of the past ten years with four games scheduled throughout England for the 2018 season.

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In early May, amidst a cloud of rumors and suspicion that have persisted for years, Commissioner Rob Manfred officially announced the London Series at a press conference in London. Manfred, who took over the reigns of Major League Baseball from his mentor, Bud Selig in January of 2015, was joined on stage by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Red Sox owner John Henry, Yankees owner’s Hal and Jennifer Steinbrenner, and Chief Counsel for Major League Baseball Player’s Association, Tim Slavin. The press conference, which lasted a little more than a half-hour was the culmination of several years

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From left to right:: MLB Player's Association Chief Counsel Tim Slavin, Red Sox Owner John Henry, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Yankee's chief executives Jennifer and Hal Steinbrenner.

of negotiations and compromise between Major League Baseball, the city of London, and the Player’s Association. The benefits gained by either the players or Major League Baseball in general by playing in London is not immediately clear and for many, the massive travel burden and loss of two baseball games on American soil greatly outweighs the positive repercussions that might arise from growing the game globally. The argument can be made that recent endeavors by American baseball into places like Japan, Australia and South America are far more valuable in that those cultures already have a rich baseball history of their own as well as a significant passion for the game. Rob Manfred addressed these concerns in the introductory press conference while speaking to a gaggle of curiously mixed European and American reporters all looking for an angle on this unique story. “Why London?” Rob Manfred wondered

rhetorically, “Mayor Sadiq Khan is the only mayor of a major European city to throw out the first pitch of a Major League Baseball Game.” A bit tongue-in-cheek, the comment reminded everybody watching that this was not an idea that sprung up overnight (Sadiq Khan threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field in September 2016). “More importantly, is the great tradition that London has of hosting premier events and first time events like this series.” Manfred continued, “The stadium and the infrastructure in this city gives MLB every opportunity to put on a first class event. We hope this series will be the beginning of a relationship with London that persists and a continuation of increased exposure for MLB here in Europe”. Manfred’s bid to join the elite group that has brought its talent to the bustling capital city has skeptics on all sides. While many can certainly understand the logic behind wanting to bring

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London Stadium will be converted into a 55,000 seat baseball stadium next June to first professional baseball game ever.

more eyes to the game of baseball, there are just as many that believe the potential of baseball fandom in the UK is almost non-existent. Representing the players, Tim Slavin expressed his hopes that the lack of baseball awareness in Europe will increase the intensity on the field and will lead to more Englishmen and women picking up the game.

time zone has the potential to hinder one or both teams. Unlike the NBA or the NFL, off days are not a luxury that Major League baseball players are afforded often and with the grueling prospect of 162 games in 185 days already baked into a Major League schedule adding international travel into the mix has the potential to be particularly detrimental.

“Fans should expect that the action on the field in London will be intense.” Slavin said, “Because the players are aware baseball isn’t as well known in England as it is in other parts of the world. Players will want fans to see how fun and exciting this game can be. Who knows maybe there will be fans in the crowd who will have some fun learning the game - grab a bat, a ball and a glove - and have some fun when the games conclude.”

Part of the potential appeal and frankly a factor that MLB is banking on, is the rich history of sport in England, and specifically London. The appeal of baseball has no chance of taking hold in the foggy walkways of downtown London without somehow tapping into the intrinsic passion for competitive sports of all shapes and sizes that is ever present in the city. Red Sox owner, John Henry is particularly enthusiastic about baseball’s ability to capture the heart and minds of Londoners.

That certainly is the hope of everyone in the MLB brass who are taking a calculated risk by sending their two most storied franchises across the Atlantic Ocean in the middle of the season. There is no doubt that the vast majority players on the Red Sox and Yankees are well compensated and far more travel has been done for far less money, however, when looking at the event from a competitive angle with parity in mind, sending two teams into a European

“I’m delighted that MLB has given us the opportunity to introduce the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox,” Henry said, “These are some of the most exciting players in baseball today and the greatest of rivalries being exposed to those that may be unfamiliar with our game but understand in the depths of their souls the tribal connection that is forged between town and club. All of us here today look forward to hearing the

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Commissioner Rob Manfred has been a large proponent of increasing the global reach of Major League Baseball since he took over the commissionership in January 2015.

famous cry “Play ball!” in London Stadium next summer.” Henry, who has owned the Red Sox for 17 years, is one of the dozens of baseball executives banking on the fact that English sports fan won't be able to help but become enraptured in the majesty and pageantry of the YankeesRed Sox rivalry. They are hoping that over a century’s worth of baseball and bad blood can translate to another continent and exhibit all of the beauty and excitement that makes it mustwatch back in the states. Perhaps more importantly, baseball has grown so much around the world in the past several decades that the opportunity seems ripe for exploitation. “Baseball is a global sport.” Hal Steinbrenner said confidently, “We have fans that follow us from all over the world of all ages. I see it as my job to make sure that continues. That we stay relevant not just to the fans we have around the world but also that we introduce the game to every new generation that comes along. This series really accomplishes both. We bring our best players and our best rivalry.” The idea of bringing not just major league teams overseas but what many consider to be

the best major league teams is a different strategy than those deployed by both the NBA and NFL. Both of these leagues sent over what many consider to be mid-level teams in terms of prestige and popularity. This strategy has the potential to both succeed wildly or fail disastrously depending on the outcome and tenor of the actual games. If the Red Sox and Yankees come together for one of the vintage, knockdown dragout battles that has made the rivalry must watch American TV - then it is possible for at least a tiny baseball-sized spark to set a fire in the hearth of some English sports fans. However, if these two teams play two of the 4 and a half hour, slow, plodding games that definitely happen, then all of the tired cliches and digs at baseball as “boring” or “too slow” could potentially cement that perception into the mind of millions of Brits and become reality. “London’s interest in these game reflects what many already know around the world: Fans in this great city want and rightfully expect great athletes at every level in every sport. Baseball intends to deliver on this expectation.” Tim Slavin said of the potential for excitement, “Despite the number of games played, a race to the playoffs is often decided by a single game. For these two perennial powerhouse clubs who are often

• Providing Life Changing Experiences Through Sports •

themselves at the top or near the top of league standings, these games really matter.” Time will tell if the British, foreign not just to the players but all of the context behind what makes the rivalry great, will be able to extrapolate from the goingson on the field what makes it so enthralling to most American sports fans. “More than anything though, we think since so much of the world great athletes come from this area” Slavin said,”It is not crazy to think that these games might inspire young fans into taking the next steps to being the next English born major league baseball player.” Sadiq Khan, mayor of London since 2016, has made his presence known globally for a number of reasons. One of the reasons he is a household name is his increasing passion for bringing new and exciting entertainment into the city of London. Khan used his time onstage to help welcome his American friends and tout his enthusiasm for bringing new and exciting sporting events to the epicenter of British culture.

“Whether you are the best tennis player, cricketer, American football player - we want you to be playing in London.” Khan told the media through a wide, pearly white smile, “You’ll be seeing not just the two best baseball teams in the world but arguably the best two teams of any kind, in any sport. The rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox is legendary. It’s going to be a fantastic two days a year from now but the fun begins now. Khan also touted the community service that has come about as a result of Major League Baseball coming to London. “The commissioner has already agreed to do lots of work with community groups and grassroots organization.” Khan said of Rob Manfred, “The great thing about sport is the ability to bring people together from different backgrounds. I think sport is the glue that brings people together and I hope my American friends will see over the course of the next 12 months and beyond that London is open. London is open to people, to talent, to businesses but also London is open to Americans. We love Americans.

Executives from MLB, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox address a crowd of curious reporters in London back in February 2018.

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The NFL has been playing their International Series in London since 2007.

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MY CASE FOR BASEBALL: IT’S NOT BORING By Justin O’Hea I hear this saying all the time and it really bothers me: “Baseball is boring”. This is fair - it can be a bit boring sometimes. For example I recently went to a game at Yankee stadium - middle of April, 51 degrees, a paltry 15,000 fans in attendance. The crowd wasn’t really that into it either, and I’d say 60% of the people were there because it happened to be David Well’s Bobblehead Night. That game was a bit boring. Fifteen years ago I went to Game Seven of the 2003 ALCS. I sat in the left field stands and watched Aaron Boone’s legendary walk-off homerun sail gloriously into the night and most likely into the hands of a lucky Italian from Staten Island. I promise you, I will never go to a Aaron Boone raises his arms in jubilation as he watches his pennant clinching walk-off home run sail into the Yankee sporting event or any event as surreal as Stadium bleachers. the moments after Boone sent a walk off into the Yankee Stadium crowd. I am inets leaving it up to faith whether he would get credibly confident that the feeling I have when to use them and have his crimes uncovered or I marry my future wife won’t come close to the the Yankees would win the series in 6 games feeling I had when Jorge Posada tied that game that night. My family and I sat on the couch in the 8th inning with a bloop double off Pedro that night and cheered for the Yankees. Martinez. There are moments you never forget even when you’re 12 years old. I remember During the third inning of the game, Joe’s guilty everything about that day from start to finish. conscience caught up with him and he spilled The reason I am able to even share with you this his guts to my dad admitting everything he did. story is because of my older brother, Joe. Just My mom was furious and my older sister bebefore the start of Game Six, Joe went into my rated him. My dad and I thought differently dad’s wallet and plucked out his Mastercard. I about my brother’s actions, however. I think my don’t remember the website he used, but he dad was having a good sales year because he found a really amazing deal on tickets for Game didn’t seem to mind all that much that my Seven (if necessary, of course). He plugged in brother went behind his back. As a matter of the credit card number and purchased four tick-

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fact, he seemed strangely proud of Joe for doing this. I didn’t completely understand the value of a dollar at this age so I was just excited to maybe have an opportunity to go to a playoff Yankee game for the first time. From that point on, all sat on the edge of our seats, die hard Yankee fans from birth, and rooted for the hated Boston Red Sox so we could see a decent return on my brother’s duplicity. We cheered as the Red Sox started to pull away in the late innings. Boston topped off their 7-6 lead with two more runs in the 9th inning. With a comfortable three run lead, my brother, sister, my dad and I started to fill with excitement - we were going to game seven at Yankee Stadium against our bitter rivals. I woke up the day of Game Seven with a severe stomach virus. I was throwing up like crazy and completely bedridden. As I was lying in bed, I overheard discussions going on downstairs about whether or not I should go to the game. I remember crying and feeling completely disappointed with my bad luck. I kept thinking “there’s no way my mom is going to let me go

to the game”. I laid in bed for several hours and eventually fell back asleep for the rest of the morning. I woke up to my Dad’s knock on my bedroom door. He gave me some over-the-counter-medicine and said we’re leaving for the game in three hours. I drank the medicine without hesitation and got out of bed. It’s always difficult for a mother to let her sick son leave the house, but my dad argued that there’s certain circumstances where you must let your son experience a once in a lifetime opportunity. Coming to the realization that I was actually going to Game Seven made my nausea subside - or maybe the medicine was just kicking in. I anxiously waited for my brother and sister to get home from school so we could hop in my dad’s 1994 Nissan Pathfinder and head West to the Bronx. I only threw up once during the car ride to Yankee Stadium so I considered that progress. I will admit that I was pretty uncomfortable during the car ride because I was forced to sit in the trunk by my brother and sister - Probably to avoid getting any vomit on

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Mariano Rivera breaks down with emotion on the pitcher's mound as the rest of the Yankees wait to mob Aaron Boone at home plate.

their Yankee jerseys. I’m very fortunate to have watched many games at the old Yankee Stadium. The old Yankee Stadium had a very special feel to it. However, on this particular cold October night, Game Seven vs. the Red Sox, it was truly a unique feeling that I will never forget. There was a chill in the air, the stadium was literally shaking beneath my feet every play, every single person in the stadium was yelling at the top of their lungs, and everyone felt like we were at war against the Boston Red Sox. My earliest memories of the game were watching Pedro Martinez getting relentlessly booed and heckled by drunken Yankee fans, and standing for the entire duration of Roger Clemens’ first inning. When Roger Clemens recorded his first out of the game, I swear it was the loudest I’ve ever heard Yankee stadium - and this was for the first out of the game! The crowd absolutely erupted on every strike, and booed loudly on every ball. It was incredibly intense and I loved every second of it. It’s easy to forget that you have a stomach virus when you’re in an environment like that.

After I threw up in a very disgusting stall in the men’s bathroom, my dad and I waited on line so I could get a hot chocolate. My dad thought having something warm would make me feel better. As we were waiting in line, we heard the crowd erupt - Jason Giambi had just hit his second home run of the game. The Yankees now trailed 5-2 and when we arrived back at our seats, everyone in the entire stadium knew we were going to get through Pedro. Every pitch that Pedro threw that was a little outside the strike zone was met with ground shaking cheers from the crowd. Anytime Pedro was behind in the count, every fan would partake in the “Pedro!...Pedro!...” chant in a true Bronx tradition. I get chills just thinking about how intense it was. Every single person was on their feet yelling at and booing Pedro. It’s one thing to hear this on T.V., but when you’re in the crowd you truly feel the wave of intensity hit you. We all know Pedro was succumbing to the pressure and it only made us cheer louder and louder. Once Jeter led off the 8th inning with a double off the wall, we knew we were coming back. Bernie Williams brought Jeter home with a single, then Matsui (Godzilla, double nickels) hit a

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ground-rule double, leaving himself at second with Bernie at third base. When Posada hit the aforementioned two RBI double into short center field to tie the game at 5-5, it was pandemonium. Beer flying all over the place, people jumping up and down, and it was so loud that I couldn’t hear myself yelling. To see that many people at the height of happiness is something that I can still vividly remember to this day and it makes me smile. In moments like that, no one is thinking about the troubles in their life. Everyone was one big happy family held together by their desire to beat the Red Sox. My ears were ringing for two days after this moment. The cheering stopped when we saw Pedro walking towards the dugout after blowing a 5-2 lead. To this day, I am confident no one has been booed louder. This must have been the most devastating moment in Pedro’s career and as a long time Yankee fan, I’m happy to have been apart of that. The game was now 5-5 going into the 9th inning. Mariano Rivera walks out of the bullpen to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” and a blanket of serenity swept across the fans. About 95% of the time, you knew Rivera was going to get us out of an inning with no runs. He went on to pitch three scoreless innings bringing us into the bottom of the 11th. This blanket of serenity was

starting to wear thin. I wasn’t worried because I was 12 years old and didn’t fully understand the fact that professional athletes can get tired. I don’t remember who we had warming up in the bullpen, but we started having thoughts of what would happen once Rivera was taken out of the game. It was the middle of the 11th inning and I don’t remember anyone moving from their seats. Everyone was so dialed into the game and no one wanted to miss a second of play. Every single pitch was starting to become an emotional roller coaster. The feeling of uncertainty was becoming overwhelming. How much longer could we all go through this? This needs to come to an end. Did I mention i’m going through all of this with a stomach virus? There were a lot heroes on this day and I was one of them. This almost sounds a bit cliche, but this guy sitting next to my Dad said, “this guy is due for one, he’s going to end it right here” as Aaron Boone walked out of the dug out. Everyone in attendance anxiously watched knuckleballer Tim Wakefield warm up while Aaron Boone took some practice swings. Finally it was time to throw the first pitch in the bottom of the 11th inning. My dad said to the guy next to him, “You better be right, I gotta be up early tomorrow”. Tim Wakefield got in a ready position and started into his motion and floats in a knuckle-

Nobody took the full brunt of Yankees fan's aggression worse than Pedro Martinez. Here he is walking off the field after relinquishing a 5-2 lead in Game 7

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Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield looks on as one of his famous knuckleballs is launched into orbit and into the annals of history off the bat of Aaron Boone and into the New York City night.

ball. All I heard was a crack of the bat, and I see this tiny white dot coming and closer and closer to my section just to the right of the foul ball pole in left field. I truly believe I was one of the first people to know this ball off of Boone’s bat was heading for the seats. I started jumping up and down, hands in the air, quickly being joined by 55,000 fans that were about to have two tons of emotional energy lifted off their shoulders. Similar to Posada tying the game in the 8th, the crowd erupted. Beer was flying all over the place, peanut shells in the air, people hugging strangers, cheers, tears, and smiles. The cheering didn’t seem to end either. The stadium was absolutely electrified while Frank Sinatra came over the loudspeakers and played the iconic “New York, New York”. Everyone was singing in unison, jubilant in knowing that we all had just witnessed one of the greatest games ever played at Yankee Stadium. After the song ended, no one was left the stadium. The song played five more times as we all celebrated the historic victory over our long time rivals. My dad turned to me and said, “Son, you will never see anything like this ever again”. He was right. When my dad, sister, brother and I got home

that night the first thing I did was go to the bathroom and throw up chicken fingers and hot chocolate. My ears rang for two days, but I did wake up the next day feeling way better. After I recovered fully and returned to school, was fielding questions non-stop about the game. Everyone was so excited just to know someone that was there to witness it in person. It was certainly a moment my family will never forget. Unfortunately, the Yankees went on to lose the World Series to the Florida Marlins in six games. It would have been great to have wrapped up the season as World Series champions, but beating the Red Sox in Game 7 felt almost as important as winning a World Series. Baseball gave the 55,000 fans in attendance that fateful October evening, along with the millions of people watching on TV, a memory they will never forget. I felt every emotion throughout that day, you could even describe my experience as massive emotional roller coaster. Bottomline: baseball is more than just a sport. Baseball makes us all forget about the troubles in our lives for a couple hours, it brings families together, it makes small talk at the water cooler less painful. Even more so, it takes moments

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Jorge Posada provides a legendary double-fistpump at second base following a game-tying, 1-out double off Pedro Martinez to knock the future Hall of Famer out of the game.

that the inexperienced fan might consider “boring” and turns it into palpable tension that explodes in moments of ecstasy like the one I felt that cool October night. So, thank you Aaron Boone for ending the game because who knows what would have happened. I will always

appreciate my dad’s negotiation skills in his ability to somehow talk my mom into letting me leave the house with a stomach virus. And most importantly, thanks to my brother, Joe for bravely stealing my dad’s credit card - you’re lucky the Yankees lost Game 6.

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The Rise of The Negro League In America History.com The rise of organized baseball after the Civil War led to early attempts to segregate the sport. The National Association of Amateur Base Ball Players rejected African-American membership in 1867, and in 1876, owners of the professional National League adopted a “gentleman’s agreement” to keep blacks out. Subsequent African American players found their greatest opportunities with traveling teams until 1920, when Rube Foster launched the Negro National League. Reformulated several times with new leagues and owners, Negro League baseball enjoyed periods of success in the early 1920s and again after the Great Depression. However, Jackie Robinson’s integration of baseball in 1947 prompted a slow but irreversible influx of talent to the majors, and the remaining Negro League teams generally folded by the 1960s. FORMATION OF BASEBALL’S COLOR LINE As the expanding popularity of baseball in the United States led to the formation of amateur clubs in the second half of the 20th century, African Americans were among those joining

the action. Records exist of an abbreviated game between two black teams as far back as 1855, and by the end of the decade there were several African American clubs in the New York area. However, the continued development of the sport led to attempts to exclude blacks from its highest ranks. In 1867, the National Association of Amateur Base Ball Players elected to reject applications from African American clubs. In 1876, the formation of the professional National League brought with it a “gentleman’s agreement” among owners to keep it a white man’s game. Regardless, African Americans continued to play and even thrive at various levels of professional baseball. In 1884, catcher Moses Fleetwood Walker of the Toledo Blue Stockings became the first African American to play in what was then considered a major league. However, Walker and fellow African Americans often faced outright hostility and physical intimidation from both teammates and opponents. In one case, 19th-century superstar Cap Anson of the Chicago White Stockings threatened to cancel a game with Toledo if Walker was in the lineup.

Above: 1940-1948 Wilson W150CC Negro American League Baseball

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Satchel Paige, one of the greatest pitchers of any era.

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Kansas City Monarchs

Several of the top black players of the era, including infielders Frank Grant and Bud Fowler and pitcher George Stovey, relocated to the prominent International League playing in New York, New Jersey and southeast Canada. However, racial tensions persisted, and in 1887 African Americans were barred from signing new contracts in that circuit as well. By the 1890s, black players were increasingly facing exclusion from organized baseball and finding more opportunities with traveling teams. The Cuban Giants, formed in 1885 under the pretense of being dark-skinned Latin Americans, traversed the East in a private railroad car to play local squads. Fowler’s Page Fence Giants enjoyed impressive success against both black

and white opponents, winning 118 of 154 games in 1895. The close of the century brought an end to formal integrated baseball. In 1899, Bill Galloway appeared in five games for Woodstock, Ontario, of the Canadian League. Save for attempts to pass African Americans off as Spanish or Native American, there would be no more blacks in white professional leagues for more than four decades. RISE OF THE NEGRO LEAGUES Segregation notwithstanding, black players continued to find ways to foster high-level competition in major northern cities. The first “Colored Championship of the World” was held in 1903, with pitcher

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Rube Foster leading the Cuban X-Giants to victory over the Philadelphia Giants. Attempts to establish an organized circuit sputtered on several occasions: The integrated International League of Independent Baseball endured a rocky season in 1906 before dissolving, and the planned National Negro Baseball League came and went in 1910 before a single game was played. Top teams like the Leland Giants of Chicago and the Lincoln Giants of New York enjoyed some staying power, but were often at the mercy of white booking agents who controlled access to large stadiums. A turning point for black baseball came in 1920, when Rube Foster founded the Negro National League. An enterprise of black ownership, its early financial success prompted the formation of the Eastern Colored League in 1923. The two circuits converged to play the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Colored Championship in 1924, and continued the annual series until 1927.

Frank Grant

Stability proved fleeting for the Negro Leagues, however, as players jumped from squad to squad in pursuit of the highest bidder, and teams skipped league games when a more lucrative exhibition offer surfaced. A vital leader was lost when Foster was institutionalized in 1926, and the Eastern Colored League folded in 1928. It reformulated as the American Negro League in 1929, but the Great Depression proved costly to professional black baseball, with the Negro Southern League and a few strong independent clubs emerging as the only entities to survive the 1932 season.

Newark-Eagles Ring

In 1933, Pittsburgh Crawfords owner and numbers kingpin Gus Greenlee restarted the Negro National League. That year he introduced the East-West All-Star Game in Chicago, which be-

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By that point, the push to integrate major league baseball was slowly gaining steam. In 1942, former UCLA athletic star Jackie Robinson and another black player named Nate Moreland were granted a cursory workout with the Chicago White Sox. The 1944 death of Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, a strict segregationist, provided another opening, and in 1945 sportswriters engineered tryouts for Negro Leaguers with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Red Sox, the latter again involving Robinson. As it turned out, Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey was already scouting African Americans, ostensibly for a new Negro league but in reality for his major league team. He forged a secret arrangement with Robinson in August 1945, and shook the baseball world

Larry Dolby

came the sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest annual event, attracting more than 50,000 fans at its peak. The Negro Leagues enjoyed a resurgence of success thanks to the backing of owners who became rich through gambling and other illegal operations, as well as the dazzling performances of top players. Some, like catcher Josh Gibson, earned renown for hitting tremendous home runs, but black baseball primarily became known for showcasing a style of speed, daring play and showmanship. Its most famous player, pitcher Satchel Paige, might guarantee to strike out the first six batters he faced, or order his outfielders to the dugout in the middle of an inning. Still, its stars knew to buckle down during exhibitions against white All-Star teams and enjoyed a strong record in those matchups. In 1937, the Negro American League was formed from teams in the Midwest and South to counter the Negro National League. The sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health seemingly stronger than ever, an estimated 3 million fans turned out to watch Negro League teams play in 1942, with its World Series revived that September. INTEGRATION AND THE END OF THE NEGRO LEAGUES

Jackie Robinson

with his official announcement in October. Following an outstanding season with the minor league Montreal Royals in 1946, Robinson officially integrated major league baseball by manning first base for the Dodgers on April

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The successes of Robinson, Doby and other African Americans like Roy Campanella and Monte Irvin drew the attention of black communities and drained the Negro Leagues of its fan base. The Negro National League disbanded in 1948, and the Negro American League limped through the 1950s, its attempts to sign white players and women having little lasting impact on the turnstiles. In the meantime, major league baseball was proving slow to change; as late as August 1953, only six of its 16 teams were fielding black players. However, the historic accomplishments of young stars like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and

The Hall of Fame plaque of willie Mays

15, 1947. On July 5, former Newark Eagles star Larry Doby became the second black big leaguer by suiting up for the Cleveland Indians. Three more appeared in the majors by the end of the year, and the following season, after signing the now-42-year-old Paige, Cleveland went on to win the World Series. Ernie Banks soon prompted organizations to change their ways, and in 1959, the Red Sox became the last major league team to integrate with the addition of infielder Elijah “Pumpsie” Green. The following year, the Negro American League folded. Some longtime clubs like the Monarchs attempted to stay afloat, but the combination of lower-grade talent and strengthening of major sports franchises led to their extinction through the decade, with only the Indianapolis Clowns managing to survive as a traveling team until ceasing operations in 1989.

Branch Rickey

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A HIDDEN GEM: HOW THE CORTLAND CRUSH ARE CHANGING LIVES IN CENTRAL NEW YORK By Sam Bloomquist Nestled in the back corner of Central New York’s Beaudry Park, Greg’s Field finds itself preparing for a big summer as the Cortland Crush lace up for another season of New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL) action, an NCAA sanctioned and MLB-endorsed collegiate summer league. The closer it gets to June, one can almost hear the crack of the bat and mowers frantically attacking blades of grass,ushering the fifth season of this young Cortland Crush team into existence. Formed in the memorial of the late Greg Partigianoni, the team has seen its operations grow year after year thanks to the support of the Cortland community and the hard work of many college interns providing the backbone of the team’s workforce. As a former intern, I had the pleasure of spending two summers with the team. Manager Bill McConnell has a peculiar way of forming his roster and it is one that he believes reflects the mindset and character of both the late Greg Partigianoni and the Cortland community. Greg Partigianoni was a Cortland born baseball junky that coached many teams from the collegiate level with SUNY Cortland and Ohio State, as well as the chance to manage the 1984 Northeast Collegiate Baseball League All-Star team in an exhibition game against a U.S. Olympic team that rostered future MLB All-Stars Mark McGwire and Ken Caminiti.

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Partigianoni, who had earned the nickname “Crusher” for his power hitting prowess, had his legacy cut short after being hand-picked to take over Cornell’s baseball program due to a terminal illness. The Cortland Crush was born to commemorate the legacy of Partigianoni and to give young men the chance to build a legacy of their own. Bill McConnell travels nationwide every year recruiting young men of not only skill, but who maintain a level of character and positive attitudes consistent with Cortland Crush values. His dedication to the organization echos the ideals that create a unique environment to succeed within. This is proven through their almost yearly presence in the postseason during their young time as a team as well as the countless events held in the community throughout the season. The Crush are seen regularly making visits to the Cortland Regional Medical Center to visit and give company to patients in the hospital. They host Little League teams for pregame warm-ups, honor veterans and active military with a cookout, and

you can even find them cruising down Main Street in the annual Cortland Dairy Parade. For every home game, two lucky little leaguers are picked to be batboy and ballboy for the game. Their faces light up when they come into the dugout and the players treat them like teammates. Local singers from the high school and the church are invited to sing the national anthem before the game. After the game, the

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players do postgame interviews and hop on the live broadcast to give an inside look of the team. The young men optimistically buy all-in to the process, which allows them to benefit their temporary home in countless ways. The Cortland Crush Organization not only values character in it’s player but also in the people that staff it’s Front Office. A handful of generous families and driven interns volunteer their time to provide a workforce for the team’s daily

events. They provide live commentary and video-feed online so players’ families may watch at home. Several events are held at the games to bring the community closer with the team including Bark in the Park, Fourth of July Fireworks and an assortment of raffles from local businesses. A full community effort is used and the result is a terrific sample of what baseball can do to the lives around the game. The unity was exemplified through fan participation. Many fans would come to every game and

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An aerial view of Beaudry Park, home of the Cortland Crush.

some would even go on the road to Syracuse for games. A majority of the fans have no affiliation with the players other than dedication to the team. They are not families, they are not friends, just members of the community brought together through the sport of baseball. Not only is the moral of the town boosted but also the moral of all the strong-minded workers who bring these events together. After spending time with the marketing team throughout the year, it was obvious that local businesses were eager to purchase sponsorship in order to bond the community together. The team quickly obliged and even scheduled times for the players to go and sample delicacies from

local sponsors. It is an advanced operation to be running from a team in the beginning level of the baseball journey and McConnell is careful to find the qualified individuals to make the process happen. All of this is tightly wrapped into a two-month season that is seemingly over before you exhale. McConnell and his team go to great lengths to maintain their level of success and philanthropy, and they can do so by continuing to surround themselves with young and hungry minds.

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SPORTS VISION TRAINING 2. Tracking: This is the ability to follow moving objects - an absolute must in baseball.

USABaseball.com In the world of baseball, teams, coaches and athletes are continually looking for innovative ways to improve performance. Baseball is unlike any other sport in that it requires physical abilities like strength, speed, agility and power, but it is also a game that requires a high level of skill and accuracy. A single mistake in the field, on the mound or in the batter's box can change the outcome of a game. The abilities of the players across the league, by comparison, are very close. The players and teams who make the fewest mistakes prevail in the end. Baseball is a game of consistency! In the need to excel in the sport of baseball, it goes without saying that sport specific skill development is a priority. Repetition is a key in our game. But if all we do is play the game and practice our skills, in the end we limit playing potential. SPORTS INTANGIBLES Along with skill development, we need to address flexibility, strength, speed, agility and power. And then, there are sports intangibles! These are the not so obvious traits that often separate the great players from the rest of the field. Sports intangibles include things like game intelligence, timing, reaction speed, anticipation, aggressiveness, etc., and they are all as trainable as any other skill. Sport vision training for baseball is becoming a very important part of preparing for the game as more and more players work on this aspect of their game. SPORTS VISION FOR BASEBALL According to visual experts there are five areas of visual performance that baseball players must consider: 1. Focus: This is the ability to accurately judge distances and quickly focus from near and far points of interest.

3. Visual Coordination: Eye-hand coordination and eye-foot coordination. In order to get in the best position to field a ball, make the throw, time the hit in the batter's box or read the play in the field, the information you get from your eyes must be understood as quickly as possible so you can make the correct movement response. 4. Depth Perception: The ability to accurately judge distances and react accordingly. 5. Peripheral Awareness: Whether in the field, running the bases, holding runners, at bat or catching a ball against the wall, being aware of your surroundings while performing a skill is very important and something that should be trained on a regular basis. HITTING Hitters in baseball face one of sport's most difficult tasks! A pitch moving at 80-100 mph takes less than half a second to reach home plate. Add on movement to the pitch and hitting the ball is an almost impossible task. On average the professional baseball player will lose sight of the ball 6-8 feet before it reaches home plate. From there the hitter has to guess/ anticipate where the ball will be when it crosses the plate. Hitters who train their ability to track high speed objects track the ball longer giving them a distinct advantage at the plate. The longer you can track the ball the better your chance of making contact. It is well documented that successful hitters are able to see the ball longer and some claim to see the ball right to the point of contact!! HITTING DRILLS To improve visual skills for hitters there are number of drills you can use:

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Smaller Bat or Ball • Use in regular soft toss drills players have to concentrate harder to make contact Colored Balls • Use 2-3 different colored golf balls or colored dots on regular baseballs. • Each color can indicate a different task; bunt, take, opposite side… • The hitters must recognize the color and then perform the appropriate task Numbered Balls • With a black marker write a number on the ball in 4-5 places. • The number should be about 1 inch high. • As the ball approaches the hitter must call out the number just before or after contact. • You can also designate a task with each number in the same manner as colored balls. Over-speed Pitches • It has been well documented that tracking over speed balls can help hitters identify and track balls deeper into the hitting zone. • Balls can travel 75mph to 150mph. The player will not

swing at the balls; the task is to track the ball as long as possible. • Using tennis balls and high speed pitching machines. • Simply have the hitters assume the proper hitting stance and track the ball as deep as possible. • You can use numbered balls or colored dots and have the hitters call out the proper number or color. FIELDING DRILLS Fielding, like hitting, requires very concentrated visual skills. These skills can be trained in the field during practice just as with the hitters. Colored / Numbered Balls • Draw dots or numbers on the ball, Numbers should be ½ to 1 inch in size. • As with the hitters players must react to the color on the ball. • Blue dot, throw to first, number 2 throw home. • You can change the combinations forcing the player to concentrate on the task • Close eyes prior to contact. • Player opens eyes and finds the ball as quickly as possible. Rag Balls • Using soft balls hit them at your fielders at close range on one or two hops. • You can have the players in a kneeling position or standing fielding position. Fixation Drills • Using a ball on the ground or stationary object high up (Light Standard). • Have the player fix their vision on the object while the coach calls out directional commands or have the player complete agility drills or calisthenics.

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A HISTORY OF FOOD AT THE BALLPARK By Roger Weber From the inception of the ballpark eating and drinking were tied to baseball. At the first enclosed ballpark in Brooklyn a saloon sat in one of the outfield corners. Beer was the first consumable to appear in a ballpark. Baseball was popular with the Germans in the Midwest who would drink beer freely during games and enjoy other concoctions. The most famous edible creation ever to appear at ballparks is the hot dog. The hot dog is essentially just a "dash on the doxen" sausage as they were sometimes called and a Vienna roll. So it is very plausible that hot dogs were consumed regularly before they ever entered the ballpark. Some claim hot dogs first appeared at baseball games as early as the 1870s and '80s. But a more famous legend says they didn't appear until 1905 when Harry M. Stevens brought them to an early season game in New York. Stevens was an immigrant who came to the United States in the 1870s. He worked as a minister in Columbus, Ohio and was also a part time bookseller. A few businessmen hired him to sell scorecards at Ohio baseball games and he was soon known as the "scorecard man." Stevens moved to New York and his business expanded from scorecards to concessions. One day when ice cream wasn't

selling well because of cold temperatures Stevens sent some of his employees to get some sausages and Vienna rolls. He sold the combination as "red hots" and the sold well enough that Stevens continued selling them and later expanded his menu. A cartoonist who couldn't spell the official name of the sausages shortened the name to "hot dog" in 1910 and hot dogs have been in baseball ever since. But the validity of the story is questionable. In 1904, a year before Stevens supposedly invented the creation a cartoonist drew a picture of one at the World's Fair in St. Louis. And according to some secondhand reports, some students at Yale College claimed to have enjoyed

the sausages and rolls as early as 1895. It is likely that the hot dog originated well before Stevens brought it to baseball in New York because it is not a complex item and would have made a reasonable concoction for German immigrants. After all, the hot dog is filling,

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warm and salty and goes well with beer. These combined tastes may also explain how peanuts made their way into the baseball scene. Over the years, menus expanded. At Shibe Park in Philadelphia concessions included prime rib of beef, pork loin with applesauce, lamb stew, vegetable soup, mashed potatoes, hot beef sandwiches, corn and beans. And none of this cost more than $.60. Beer continued to be an integral part of baseball. But it incited rowdiness among fans. At some parks beer was banned on ladies' days. During prohibition beer was obviously banned from ballparks. But it returned to the pleasure of many fans by the 1930s. In June of 1974 Cleveland held 10-cent beer night at the stadium. The Indians and the Rangers, the team they faced on the ill-fated night, had a bench clearing brawl a week earlier at Texas but the Indians' organization still opted to hold the promotion to draw more people to the park. 25,000 came out to watch the Indians come back from a 5-1 deficit to tie the game in the ninth. Although several streakers crossed the field earlier in the game real trouble didn't start until the ninth inning. Fans stole the glove and cap of Texas outfielder Jeff Burroughs, and when teammates came to the irate Burroughs' aid fans charged the field. Fans still in the stands started throwing folding chairs and hit several players and one of the umpires. Cleveland was forced to forfeit the game, the first forfeit in the Major Leagues since fans in Washington D.C. literally started tearing RFK stadium apart at its last game in 1971. Promotions like 10-cent beer night have alerted team owners and baseball officials to the danger of alcohol at baseball games. Now rules are in effect for when vendors must stop selling alcohol. Plus, new exorbitant beer prices have eased overall beer consumption. But baseball has long been a family game. From the famous line "Say it ain't so Joe" during the Black Sox scandal to the Little League World Series to team community funds and knothole sections baseball has long been viewed as a â&#x20AC;˘ Providing Life Changing Experiences Through Sports â&#x20AC;˘

course is full of unique concession stands. Wrigley Field has its own specialties even if nothing is too unique. The Italian beef isn't sold anywhere else. In Cincinnati Reds' fans enjoy cheese coneys loaded with Cincinnati chili, a concoction of several different ingredients including chili, chocolate and cinnamon and heaping with shredded cheese. Rocky mountain oysters, a more appetizing name than their actual contents- bull testiclesare sold at Coors Field in Denver along with a large assortment of beer, much of which is brewed in house. In Miami, a city with a large Hispanic population, vendors at Dolphins Stadium sell arepas, or a Venezuelan corn cake, kind of like a hamburger. In Kansas City, the popular favorite is barbequed beef. Locals claim their version is the best in the country. Harry M. Stevens kids' game. In the 19-teens the St. Louis Cardinals became the first major league team to offer needy boys and girls free bleacher seats. The practice is fairly common now. Baseball is tied closely to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. As a kid-friendly game, baseball parks have long sold soft drinks as well as beer. Coke for a long time dominated professional sports but by 1998 Pepsi was the official soft drink at eight major league ballparks. (5) Soft drink advertisements are at some parks very prominent. The 80-foot Coca Cola bottle slide in San Francisco may be most prominent but many baseball fans still think of the replica Coke bottles on the light towers at Fenway Park as the backdrop for Mark McGwire's once-record 13 home runs in the first round of the 1999 Home Run Derby. Other ballpark specialties like cracker jacks and peanuts have waned in popularity but still exist at most parks. New concessions like soft pretzels and French fries have gained popularity during the retro ballpark age. Most ballparks have their own regional specialties and every fan has a different opinion of which parks have the best food. At Camden Yards in Baltimore some stands sell crab cakes, albeit for high prices, and the right field con-

PNC Park offers the Primati Brothers sandwich, a huge Italian sandwich that doesn't include just bread and meat but also fries and virtually anything else you want between the bread. San Diego baseball cuisine includes fish tacos while up Route 1 in San Francisco the smell of garlic fries and Polish sausage engulfs the stadium. Cleveland doesn't have one signature food. So when Jacobs Field opened concessions planners didn't try to create one item they would push. In fact, they did the opposite. Jacobs offers over 80 concessions items and is well known for its brown mustard. A concession stand appears at almost every open spot around the stadium. Perhaps the best concessions scene is in Milwaukee, though. County Stadium, whose tenure as home of the Brewers ended in 2000, was well known for the tailgating that went on in the parking lots outside the stadium. New Miller Park uses the same parking lots and the same tailgating is prevalent at every home game. Milwaukee is also well known for its beer and sausages. The official Milwaukee brat is dipped in secret sauce and served on a crusty bun. While it may be helpful at bringing on a heart attack, the brat is very popular. But it isn't the only variation of the hot dog that exists.

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Most baseball fans have heard about the Dodger Dog and the Fenway frank. The Dodger dogs are a full foot long and served with relish and mustard. The Fenway franks are served on "New England buns," almost like serving hot dogs on thick slices of white bread. Hot dogs all over the country differ in their beef/pork content, the buns they are served on and often most noticeably, their price. For years Reds' owner Marge Schott insisted the Reds sell hot dogs for just $1. By 2006 they were nearly $4 and in some other cities now cost even more. Bottled water is sometimes over $4 and beer in St. Louis costs $9.50. Luckily most parks allow fans to bring some types of food into the park.

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PRE-GAME NUTRITION Courtesy of the United States Olympic Committee It is well established that exercise performance can be affected by diet and, in order to maintain optimal training, the body must be properly fueled with appropriate nutrients. The pre-game meal is an integral part of the complete training plan. Of course, a single pre-game meal will not compensate for a poor training diet. For this reason, the active person should routinely follow basic nutrition guidelines. It is essential that the diet contain enough calories to cover the active person's daily energy expenditure. It is also advised that the diet be composed of a wide variety of foods to ensure adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. The training diet should be high in carbohydrates without compromising necessary protein and fat. The pre-game meal should have a definite focus

on carbohydrate intake. Prioritizing carbohydrates is supported by evidence that exercise performance is typically enhanced following a high-carbohydrate meal as compared to a lowcarbohydrate meal. Carbohydrate in the liver and muscles (glycogen) can be metabolized to provide energy for the working muscle more rapidly than fat, allowing a person to sustain a higher intensity level of exercise. Therefore, its depletion would inevitably result in a need to reduce exercise intensity or discontinue exercise. Because the body's glycogen storage is limited, the diet should provide enough carbohydrate to maximize glycogen stores, particularly for those participating in high-intensity or endurance games. The basic goals of the pre-game meal are as follows: (1) prevent weakness and fatigue, whether due to low blood sugar levels or inadequate muscle glycogen stores, during the game; (2) ward off feelings of hunger yet minimize gastrointestinal distress from eating; and (3)

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guarantee optimal hydration. In addition, individual preferences must be considered. If a person truly believes that a specific food will improve performance, then the psychological effect of consuming that food may result in enhanced performance. The meal should consist primarily of carbohydrates and fluids, as they can be easily digested. If the meal is small (400-500 calories), it can be consumed approximately two to three hours prior to a game, allowing enough time for digestion and absorption. If the meal is high in fat, protein or fiber, extra time must be allowed for digestion. Also, as the amount of food consumed increases, so will the time needed for digestion. A large meal containing appreciable amounts of protein or fat, such as a large cheese omelet, may need to be eaten five to six hours before competition. Carbohydrates high in fiber and gas-forming (bran products, legumes and certain vegetables, such as onion, cabbage and cauliflower) are not recommended as they may

cause intestinal discomfort. A liquid source of carbohydrate can be taken prior to the game when schedules do not allow time for meals or for those who have a sensitive stomach or experience pre-competition anxiety. Liquid meals can include sports drinks, juices, low-fat smoothies and shakes. Carbonated drinks are questionable as they may cause stomach discomfort. Caffeinated drinks should be considered on an individual basis. For

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some individuals, caffeine may be ergogenic, most notably by making the effort seem easier. Caffeine may also spare muscle glycogen and thereby delay fatigue during endurance games. However, for others it may cause nausea and anxiousness. Once thought to be dehydrating, we now know that athletes who are accustomed to consuming caffeinated beverages can do so and experience enhanced performance, even in hot weather. The pre-game meal is particularly important before a morning game, since as much as 12 hours or more may have passed since dinner and liver glycogen levels could be sub-optimal. The prevent meal could replenish glycogen stores and decrease chance of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and therefore, delay fatigue. Since early morning pre-game meals may need to be limited in size, it would be important to consume a substantial carbohydrate dinner the night before and/or a bedtime snack, such as a bowl of cereal. Again, plenty of liquids should also be consumed to ensure maximum hydration status. Consider the following pre-game food choices. MORNING GAMES The night before, eat a high-carbohydrate meal (such as pasta with tomato sauce). Early morning, eat a light breakfast or snack, such as cereal and

non-fat milk; fresh fruit or juice; toast, bagel or English muffin; pancakes or waffles; non-fat or low-fat fruit yogurt; or a liquid pre-game meal AFTERNOON GAMES Eat a high-carbohydrate meal both the night before and for breakfast. Follow with a light lunch: turkey sandwiches with small portions of turkey; brothy soups; a bagel with a little peanut butter; fruits; juice; low-fat crackers; or high-carbohydrate nutritional bars, pretzels or rice cakes. EVENING GAMES Eat a high-carbohydrate breakfast and lunch, followed by a light meal or snack: pasta with marinara sauce; rice with vegetables; light-cheese pizza with vegetable toppings; noodle or rice soups with crackers; baked potato; or frozen yogurt. No one food or group of foods works for everybody; the person should experiment to find which foods, and the amount of food, works best. Food choices may vary based on the type of exercise, as well as the intensity and duration of the exercise. However, it is important to experiment with new foods during training rather than around competition.

Locker Room Pre-Game Meal

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EQUIPMENT REVIEW 66

BBCOR BATS What Does it All Mean? Batandball.com BBCOR baseball bats are generally the most expensive bats on the market. Since they are the only bats allowed at the high school and collegiate levels, manufacturers and vendors hike the prices up. Thus, it is important to not only find the best BBCOR bats, but also the most affordable. This is important to keep in mind, as sometimes these bats can run up towards the $500 mark. If you are playing on a budget, you want to keep this in mind as you read through BBCOR bat reviews because many of the products may simply cost more than you are comfortable spending. The hope is that this guide will not only teach you about what a BBCOR bat is and what to look for, but also present you with several top BBCOR bats that range the price spectrum, from affordable to high-end. This is an effort to show you some of the best BBCOR bats on the market, no matter what budget you are working with. WHAT IS A BBCOR BAT? If you are headed into a new league or level of play that requires a BBCOR-certified bat, you may be unsure what this means. For a bat to be BBCOR certified it must register a .50 rating or less during a BBCOR test (this rating was designed to

BBCOR stands for Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution. In other words, this standard controls how much energy is lost at the moment of contact, which reduces any batted balls â&#x20AC;&#x153;pop.â&#x20AC;? be just a little more than that of a wooden bat). Other BBCOR guidelines state that: the barrel diameter cannot exceed 2.625 inches, the length must be 36 inches or shorter and the length to weight ratio cannot be more than -3. This all may sound heartbreaking as a hitter because more spring off the bat can make the difference between a routine play for infielders and a base hit. CHOOSING THE BEST BBCOR BATS As high school and college players adapt to using a BBCOR bat, many begin to form brand loyalty. In some cases, this starts even before these levels. Choosing the best high school baseball bats is not so easy as it seems. Many hitters choose the same model bat, year in and year out, because that is their personal preference. This inclination towards one bat or a particular style is why it is impossible to choose an absolute best BBCOR baseball bat. Not to mention, some bats cater to the needs of contact hitters, while others are end loaded for power hitters. Or, the differences in feel and flex between one-piece and composite designs.

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For example, you may look for the best endloaded BBCOR bats, while your smaller teammate likely isn’t interested in the best BBCOR bats for power hitters because he looks for bats with a balanced swing weight.

Naturally, some bats are better than others are. If it is your first time buying a BBCOR bat or you are looking for a new model, understanding these slight differences can be helpful when it is time to make a purchasing decision on one of the best BBCOR baseball bats out there.

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