Reds Youth Academy: October 2021

1. Joe Morgan Mural Unveiling
2. Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids
3. MLB & USA Softball 2021 Breakthrough Series
4. Redlegs Run
5. MSJ Baseball and Taylor Brown Softball Clinic
6. RBI World Series and “Youth of the Year” Award Recognition

On Oct. 9, PNC Bank and the Reds Community Fund officially unveiled the Joe Morgan Mural that resides on the side of the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy building. The mural was completed by artist, Brent Billingsley and his team that led over 30 volunteers. More than 100 guests came together for this event, including Joe Morgan's daughter, Lisa Morgan, as well as Reds Hall of Famer George Foster, who was a teammate of Morgan on the Big Red Machine.

Joe Morgan was a 10-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove second basemen. He was elected to the Reds Hall of Fame in 1987 and to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990. The two-time National League MVP played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1972-79, during the glory days of the Big Red Machine. He won his first MVP award in 1975, when he guided the Reds to a World Series victory over the Boston Red Sox; and then again in 1976 as the Reds swept the New York Yankees for their second straight World Series Championship title. In 1998, the Reds officially retired his No. 8 jersey.

We are so glad that we got to celebrate and cherish such a special person of Cincinnati and Reds Baseball!

The Reds Community Fund hosted more than 30 Miracle League athletes from the Cincinnati Recreation Commission in early October for a special Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids event. Special guests included Reds Broadcaster and former Reds pitcher Chris Welsh, Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Ron Oester, 1999 National League Rookie of the Year Scott Williamson and former Reds pitcher Chris Nichting. This event was underwritten by a Colorado-based nonprofit, Baseball Fantasy Camps for Kids. Each of the Miracle League participants received custom Reds jerseys and enjoyed several skills stations before taking part in an indoor game at the Reds Youth Academy. The participants, program ‘buddies’ and families all enjoyed a dinner afterwards as well.

Congratulations to three of our RBI Softball players, Karley Clark, MacKenzie Milbourn and Maliyah Thompson for being selected to attend the MLB and USA Softball 2021 Breakthrough Series.

The Breakthrough Series is a four-day event designed to provide exposure and to promote softball as a viable collegiate option for youth from underrepresented and underserved communities. USA Softball coaching staff and MLB Softball Development staff led invitees through a series of on-field workouts and games and off-field educational sessions along with life skills programming. The USA Softball coaching staff consisted of former Gold and Silver Olympics Medalists, as well as current and former National Team players and college coaches.

The 20th annual CollegeAdvantage Redlegs Run presented by Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine was a complete success! Saturday, Oct. 16 marked the 20th running of the original RCF fundraiser, the CollegeAdvantage Redlegs Run. After hosting a virtual-only format in 2020, we returned to Great American Ball Park and throughout downtown Cincinnati for the 10K, 5K, One Mile Run and Gapper’s Kids Fun Run. In total, 1,480 walkers and runners took part, helping gross more than $98,000. Sponsors included CollegeAdvantage, Freking, Myers & Reul Law Firm, Beacon Orthopaedics and Trophy Awards. Close to 100 volunteers also assisted with the setup, Friday packet pick-up and race operations.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, the Reds Youth Academy hosted the first one-day clinic of the off-season! The baseball clinic was led by the Mount St. Josephs Baseball team, and they honed in on improving offensive and defensive fundamental skills. In turn, the softball clinic was led by special guest Taylor Brown; she focused on infield skill development. We are excited to continue these clinics with different special guests through the middle of January. For more information on the next one-day clinic, contact [email protected].

Congratulations to the Cincinnati Reds RBI Senior Team on winning the 2021 RBI World Series Sr. Division Championship! Championship players Cole Francis & Nijel Davis, along with coach Roosevelt Barnes, were recognized at Game 4 of the MLB World Series at Truist Park on Saturday, Oct. 30. The three participated in a PLAYBALL event and pre-game activities.

In addition, Ke’Juan McDaniel-Watts received the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy “Youth of the Year” Award at Game 4 of the MLB World Series. Ke’Juan has been an Academy member for five years and an MLB RBI baseball participant for three years.

Congratulations to all!