Academy Notebook: Taylor Hearn Woodbat Classic roster announcement; Julie Gonzalez at Pitch, Hit & Run Finals; Halloween recap

Texas Rangers Youth Academy announces roster for Taylor Hearn Woodbat Classic

The roster is set for the Texas Rangers Youth Academy’s 12U baseball team competing in this weekend’s Taylor Hearn Woodbat Classic. The Texas Rangers pitcher will host his first youth tournament at the Grimes Sports Complex in DeSoto, Texas, on Oct. 29 and 30.

After two rounds of tryouts and evaluations, the Rangers’ roster of 15 athletes is ready to take the field for this weekend’s competition. The Rangers Youth Academy will open tournament play Saturday at 1:15 p.m., followed by their second game of the day at 4:45 p.m.

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy will compete in a pool of seven teams in the 12U division with hopes to be fitted for championship rings come the tournament’s conclusion on Sunday.

Hearn’s first annual tournament will bring together 55 teams across the DFW Metroplex comprised of athletes ages 7-13. The Rangers Roberto Clemente Award nominee has also underwritten tournament costs for several participating teams, including the Rangers Youth Academy. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will be used to support Hearn’s future charitable endeavors.

Joining Hearn this weekend will be several of his Texas Rangers teammates, who will be on-site to sign autographs and cheer on the participants.

Julie Gonzalez to compete in Pitch, Hit & Run finals on Sunday, Oct. 30

On Sunday, Oct. 30, Texas Rangers Youth Academy athlete Julie Gonzalez will take the field at Minute Maid Park to compete in Major League Baseball’s Pitch, Hit & Run finals. She is the first Rangers Academy athlete to advance to the Pitch, Hit & Run national finals at the World Series.

Gonzalez will compete alongside 31 fellow finalists that advanced through the local and Team Championship rounds, earning top placement among the 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U baseball and softball divisions.

The competition will begin at 9 a.m. CT, with a winner in each division determined by the total points accumulated through each round of play. Gonzalez will compete in the 12U softball division.

Participants are scored in three categories and awarded corresponding point values based on their ability to throw strikes, hit long balls and run from base to base.

Prior to Sunday’s competition, Gonzalez will be recognized for her accomplishments during pre-game ceremonies at the MLB World Series on Oc. 29.

The 2022 Pitch, Hit & Run finals will be streamed live on MLB.com, beginning at 8:30 a.m. CT.

Halloween at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy

Yesterday, Oct.27, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy celebrated Halloween with the Halloween Classic and Trunk-or-Treat event.

While youngsters collected candy, athletes attending 18U programming participated in the annual baseball and softball Halloween Classic costume games. Players and coaches suited up in untraditional uniforms for the exhibition games, wearing a collection of spooky, humorous and clever costumes.

As part of the annual event, Texas Rangers Youth Academy names the top costumes from the game and this year, Khaci Gomez, Nathan Rangel and Youth Academy staff member Jesse Malone took home the title of best dressed.