Academy Notebook: Texas Rangers 16U Softball takes second at Cat Osterman Pre-Season Tournament

Texas Rangers Youth Academy takes second place at 16U Softball Pre-Season Tournament hosted by Cat Osterman Softball Academy

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy traveled to Mabson Field in Austin last weekend to compete in the 16U Pre-Season Softball Tournament hosted by the Cat Osterman Softball Academy Powered by RBI Austin. Rangers RBI faced the Gulf Coast Bombers travel softball team in the championship game Sunday, Jan. 9, finishing as runners-up with a final score of 5-3.

In the championship match-up, Rangers catcher and Grand Prairie High School junior Angelica Rios was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI. Starting pitcher Giovanca Frias (Irving Nimitz High School, 2023) threw a five-inning complete game with four Ks, shortstop Ana Gonzalez (Midlothian Heritage High School, 2024) was 2-for-4, and third baseman Miranda Castaneda (Cedar Hill High School, 2023) was 1-for-3 with one RBI.

The Rangers RBI 16U team advanced to the championship game as the No.2 seed after its 17-2 win versus RBI Austin. Saturday, Jan. 8, the team faced and beat Houston Astros RBI but fell to the Gulf Coast Bombers in round-robin play, completing the weekend with a 2-2 record.

Across the entire four-game tournament, first baseman Olivia Veiza (North Forney High School, 2024) was 6-for-9 with a HR and a 1.727 OPS. The Pre-Season Cat Osterman Tournament marked Veiza’s first time competing on a Texas Rangers Youth Academy Tournament team, and she led the team in hits. Giovanca Frais pitched 13 innings with seven Ks and batted 3-for-8 with two HRs and a 1.833 OPS. Shortstop Ana Gonzalez finished the tournament batting 4-for-10 with a 1.538 OPS.

Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association Legends for Youth Clinic

Saturday, Jan. 15, the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association will host its free Legends for Youth Clinic at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy. Around 60 athletes from across the Metroplex ranging from 6 to 16 years old will attend the three-hour clinic and learn from former MLB players.

The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association Legends for Youth Clinic Series is a charitable program running more than 180 free events each year worldwide. Its mission is to promote the game of baseball to youth using positive sports images and personalities.

Alumni expected to participate in Saturday’s clinic include Chris Gissell, Shawn Barton, Choo Freeman, Travis Driskill, Benj Sampson and Phil Klein.

Athletes will have the unique opportunity to participate in a series of on-field drills that will focus on mastering the fundamentals of the game. Participants will also hear valuable life lessons from the former major leaguers during breakout sessions.

Winter 18U Baseball and Softball Programming

Winter programming at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy will start Tuesday, Jan. 18, with the 18U baseball and softball sessions. Student-athletes from high schools across the area will work with the Texas Rangers Youth Academy coaching staff to fine-tune their skills as they prepare for the start of the spring baseball and softball seasons.

Participants will be designated into training groups for specialized coaching based on age and skill level as assessed by Rangers Youth Academy coaches and staff. Training will take place multiple nights per week, and the session will conclude Thursday, Feb. 10.

With the start of the high school season on the horizon, players and coaches will focus on producing consistent, quality at-bats, routine fielding drills, conditioning, and preparation for in-game situations.

The 2022 winter training sessions for 9U and 12U baseball and softball will begin Tuesday, Feb. 15, and conclude Thursday, March 10.

To register your child for Texas Rangers Youth Academy Winter Baseball and Softball Programming, visit texasrangers.com/academy.