Academy notebook

The opportunities at the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, Presented by Toyota, extended beyond baseball and softball. 
 
Pursuing a college education will be the focus tonight, Friday, November 16, when the facility hosts West Dallas Youth College Prep Night from 5:00-8:00 p.m.   
 
The Mobile Go Center (MGC) will roll into the Academy complex to help the class of 2019 fill out their FAFSA/TASFA and Apply Texas forms. 
 
Part of Texas Woman's University's Go Program, the MGC provides college-going resources to high school students and their families with the goal of increasing the number of Texas students enrolling in higher education. An extension of the College for All Texans Campaign, the MGC is equipped with laptops, high-speed internet and access to digital resources and publications.  
 
Registration for the free event is available at https://texasrangersya.leagueapps.com/classes/858949-west-dallas-youth-college-prep.  

Visit from Baseball Ops 
 
Texas Rangers Assistant Director of Baseball Operations Ben Baroody visited the Academy on Monday, November 12, to share Big League insight with players and coaches. 
 
Baroody explained how any career pursuit can be parlayed into a career working in baseball, emphasizing to the group, "invest in yourself with time and purpose. Pursue your goals relentlessly. Be someone that others can rely on."
 
Discussion also covered what Rangers scouts are looking for in young players and more. 
 
The talk was part of the Academy's ongoing "Teen University" series, a four week seminar series taught by Buckner International, to help high school students prepare for college, learn how to manage money, and explore different career paths.
 
About Last Weekend
 
On Saturday, November 10, Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun stopped by The Buck O'Neil Scouts Association Clinic at the Academy.
 
Calhoun talked to the 70 athletes participating in the clinic about his journey to the Major Leagues, encouraging them to take advantage of the opportunity to attend events and programming at the Academy. 
 
"Coming out here and seeing this many guys out here is cool," Calhoun said of the event. "There aren't many times when you get to play in front of this many scouts and just being around this type of environment as a young kid is pretty cool." 
 
Representatives and scouts from MLB clubs around the league served as instructors for the Buck O'Neil clinic, which aims to promote baseball in inner-cities by educating coaches and mentoring players.  
 
Founded in honor of the late legendary player and scout Buck O'Neil, the Buck O'Neil Professional Baseball Scouts & Coaches Association was created to provide a forum for scouts and coaches to share their passion for the game. O'Neil was the first African American to coach in the Major Leagues and one of the first to scout fulltime. 
 
Photos from the Buck O'Neil Clinic at the Academy on November 10 are attached to this email. 
 
In the Books
 
Youth Academy Fall Training Program wrapped up Thursday, November 15. During the eight week program, 1,247 baseball and softball players participated in the free activities. 
 
Fall RBI Wrapping Up
 
Tomorrow, Saturday, November 17, marks the final games of the fall RBI season at the Academy. 
 
An updated schedule for the eight baseball and four softball teams playing at the Academy is below. 
 
Scheduling is subject to change, and updates will be posted via the @RangersYA twitter account. 
 
ACADEMY RBI FALL SCHEDULE
DATE   TIME   HOME TEAM   AWAY TEAM   FIELD     
17-Nov   9:00 AM   Jaguars   Mustangs   Oates Field   baseball
17-Nov   9:00 AM   Vikings   Rangers   Field of Dreams   baseball
17-Nov   11:30 AM   Lancaster   Leopards   Oates Field   baseball
17-Nov   11:30 AM   Mercy Street   Hard Hitters   Field of Dreams   baseball
17-Nov   9:00 AM   Tigers   Mercy Street   Josh Hamilton Field   softball
17-Nov   11:00 AM   A's   Rangers   Josh Hamilton Field   softball
 
Once More for the Fall
 
The Academy is also home field for Mercy Street Little League. The fall campaign concludes tomorrow, Saturday, November 17. 
 
West Dallas Little League partners with the Little League Urban initiative to facilitate baseball and softball for participants ages four through 12.