To say Chase Lovick’s path to the Houston Astros Foundation RBI program was unconventional is an understatement.

One day in 2020, his dad’s job led him to coach Daryl Wade’s house. When Lovick’s dad left, he had secured his son a tryout with the Astros.

“My dad is a licensed plumber, and he went to do a job at Mr. Wade’s house,” Lovick said. “So they were just talking, and he was telling him I play baseball and all that, so he was like, ‘You should come to try out for the Astros program.’ So I came out, tried out, made the team, and have been there ever since.”

Lovick helped lead the Astros to their 49th appearance in the RBI World Series at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Fla., and their first since 2018. That level of success, Wade has told his team, garners the attention of other programs in the tournament.

“I tell our kids that we have a target on our back because we’ve had a good program, and that’s a good thing,” Wade said. “It’s OK to have that target, especially when you have a good program. We come down here, we try to make sure that our kids act right, do the right thing. And so far, knock on wood, we’ll continue doing that.”

Along with the program’s track record and frequent appearances in the RBI World Series, it has produced multiple players who got drafted and played college ball. Wade noted the importance of his coaching staff and how it has helped the Astros sustain their success.

“I have the best staff, I think, in all of the academies around the country,” Wade said. “These guys and ladies work hard. They work daily with our kids. Our kids don’t play travel ball with us. We bring those kids together like a week or two before our regional tournament and start working out with them. Because we do training year-round, it showed that what we’re doing is the right thing because our kids are ready to play.”

Julian Scott, in his ninth year as a part of the Astros RBI program, realizes its impact on him and other players.

“As I’ve grown, I’ve realized this program has helped me and others as well,” Scott said. “I’m not the only one that’s benefited from this program, so I just realize it’s helped develop people as people, and not just baseball players.”

Scott and Lovick previously participated in the Hank Aaron Invitational and Breakthrough Series. For Lovick, participating in those events showed him that there’s more than what takes place between the lines.

“Baseball is more than just baseball,” Lovick said. "There are a lot of pieces to come together to form fluent, good baseball. I just love coming here, good competition, and the coaches always give great advice.”

While the Astros program has enjoyed unprecedented success, the chance to play in the RBI World Series is something the team doesn't take for granted. Wade is hopeful that it can win it all, and Lovick plans to take advantage of the opportunity to play the game he loves.

“It’s just spectacular that we come from basically nothing and have an opportunity to show out in front of everyone and just play baseball like we always do,” Lovick said.

Friday’s results in the Senior Division, ages 16-18, featured the following playoff/elimination games:
Cleveland Guardians RBI (3-1) defeats Houston Astros RBI (2-2), 7-4
(Houston Astros RBI eliminated from the tournament)

Miami Marlins RBI (3-1) defeats Nobu Yamauchi RBI (1-3), 7-2
(Nobu Yamauchi RBI eliminated from the tournament)

Puerto Rico RBI (1-3) defeats Pittsburgh Pirates RBI (0-4), 9-0 (consolation game)
Chicago White Sox RBI (4-0) defeats Cleveland Guardians RBI (3-2), 9-4
(Cleveland Guardians RBI eliminated from the tournament)
Chicago White Sox RBI advances to Senior Division Championship Game

Paterson RBI (3-1) defeats Miami Marlins RBI (3-2), 4-3
(Miami Marlins RBI eliminated from the tournament)
Paterson RBI advances to Senior Division Championship Game

Friday’s results in the Junior Division, ages 13-15, featured the following playoff/elimination:
Chicago White Sox RBI (3-1) defeats Long Ball Durham RBI (2-2), 12-1
(Long Ball Durham RBI eliminated from the tournament)

Chicago Cubs RBI (3-1) defeats Nobu Yamauchi RBI (2-2), 5-4
(Nobu Yamauchi RBI eliminated from the tournament)

Atlanta Braves RBI (3-1) defeats Chicago Cubs RBI (3-2), 5-1
(Chicago Cubs RBI eliminated from the tournament)
Atlanta Braves RBI advances to Junior Division Championship Game

Chicago White Sox RBI (4-1) defeats Helping Kids Round First RBI from Nicaragua (2-2), 7-5
(Helping Kids Round First RBI eliminated from the tournament)
Chicago White Sox RBI advances to Junior Division Championship Game

Williamsport RBI (1-3) defeats New Orleans Youth Academy RBI (0-4), 11-5 (consolation game)