Commissioner Manfred visits with young players on All-Star Weekend

ARLINGTON -- Whispers of excitement filled the stands of Oates Field. The young players participating in the Commissioner’s Cup & Jennie Finch Classic were in awe as Rob Manfred, the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, made his way through the stands to speak with some of the next generation of baseball on Sunday.

“I thought it was pretty cool,” said Royals Academy Softball player Mikyla Cisneros. “This is my first time doing this and it’s good to have interactions with these people and get to know them because it’s a one-time experience for some people.”

Cisneros, who was playing in the Jennie Finch Classic for the first time, was one of the few to hear some words from Manfred as he made his way around the Rangers’ MLB Youth Academy complex to meet with the players and coaches in advance of Monday's scheduled unveiling of the renovations that were made to Arlington’s historic Senter Park.

“The first and most important thing is the unbelievable investment and commitment that the Rangers have made to this facility,” Manfred said. “This is a first-class facility, indoor, [and] outdoor, which is a tremendous asset for this community.”

MLB’s 10th Commissioner said that the facilities are an example of something at the top of his priority list -- to continue strengthening the future of the game by getting young kids to play baseball and softball and to provide them with facilities and events to hold their interest.

To help reach that goal, the newly renovated “Legacy Field,” which was unveiled as part of the All-Star Legacy initiatives, was repurposed with turf from the 2023 World Series at Globe Life Field. Putting turf on the field will help with limiting rainouts and canceled games caused by the unpredictable Texas weather.

Along with seeing the complex, Manfred was also interested in the players’ experience as well. He asked Cisneros and her teammates about playing in the tournament.

Not only was Manfred in the presence of baseball and softball players of the Nike RBI and Youth academies from around the country, but players from Puerto Rico also watching in the stands.

“We aspire to be an international game," Manfred said. “I think that baseball has made massive investments outside the U.S. In some countries, it's a significant part of the economy, like the Dominican Republic. But in other places, it's smaller, but significant in terms of bringing great players here in the U.S.”

While the Commissioner tried to talk to as many players as he could before touring the rest of the facilities, he was not able to interact with everyone. His presence, however, drew the attention of everyone in the stands and still had an impact.

“It’s cool to see him present at what we’re doing today, because this is a big thing for us,” said Rangers’ Youth Academy infielder Giovanny Orozco. “We all got selected, and to see him supporting us is pretty cool that he flew all this way.”

For the parents and coaches, they appreciated the Commissioner taking the time to come out and show his support. It is not only inspiring to the players, but comforting as well.

“Coming down and interacting with the kids sets the tone and it shows that it’s not just here at the Youth Academy, but it’s at all levels that they support what the youth academies are doing,” said Rangers Youth Academy coach Dash Johnson, “And what the MLB teams are doing for the youth, so that means a lot for our kids.

“I really applaud him for coming out and really showing that this means something. That it’s important to him.”