Academy Notebook: Maddox Johnson to participate in the Jr. Home Run Derby Finals at the World Series; Trunk-or-Treat at the Academy
Jr. Home Run Derby Finals at the World Series
Texas Rangers Youth Academy athlete Maddox Johnson, who reigned supreme through two rounds of local and regional competition, will finally get his chance to compete in Jr. Home Run Derby Finals at the MLB World Series.
With the World Series well underway between the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves, Maddox, along with 16 other Jr. Home Run Derby Regional Champions from across the country, will compete in the 14U and 12U divisions of the slugging competition, following the conclusion of this weekend’s games.
On Monday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 a.m. CT, finalists will take the field at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, to compete in two rounds of competition.
In round one, all 16 athletes, eight in each age division, will face a series of machine-pitched baseballs in an attempt to hit the maximum amount of 20 home runs beyond the outfield walls measuring roughly 225 yards from home plate.
After round one is complete, the top two sluggers will advance to the second round in a head-to-head competition to declare the 2021 Jr. Home Run Derby champion.
Johnson took the local competition by storm, setting a Rangers Youth Academy record for the most home runs hit in the 12U division. During the regional tournament, he faced top talent from Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, again finishing in first place with a new personal best of 13 home runs. Maddox hopes to continue his winning streak and take home the 12U division championship in Atlanta.
Prior to the competition, athletes will be treated to an unforgettable World Series experience courtesy of Major League Baseball. Maddox and his father will receive tickets to Game 4 of the Houston Astros-Atlanta Braves matchup Saturday, Oct. 30. Athletes will be recognized in-game for their accomplishments and will be hosted at a welcome reception Sunday.
Also taking place Monday, following the conclusion of the Jr. Home Run Derby, the Pitch, Hit & Run finals will take place. While the Texas Rangers Youth Academy will not have participants competing, three athletes advanced from the Texas Rangers Team Championship held at Globe Life Field in late September. Tatum Frisby of Muskogee, Okla., Aurora Cobb of Odessa, Texas, and Kabry Kiger of Catoosa, Okla., will be representing the Texas Rangers in their respective age divisions.
WATCH: Bally Sports Southwest profiles Maddox Johnson’s journey to the Jr. Home Run Derby Finals. Find the full video in the MLB.com Film Room.
Trunk-or-Treat at the Academy
Yesterday, on Thursday, Oct. 28, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy and Buckner International hosted the annual Trunk-or-Treat Halloween event.
From 6-7:30 p.m., Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes and Buckner International families from the West Dallas area gathered to collect some candy, play games, and have some Halloween fun.
Cars lined the perimeter of the Globe Life Training Center parking lot, and hundreds of youngsters came in their best costumes. Attendees had a large selection of sweet treats to take home, which were distributed by Rangers Youth Academy staff and Buckner volunteers.