Participants of The Hank Aaron Invitational listened attentively to Bob Kendrick as he recounted the showdown between Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson during the 1942 Negro Leagues World Series. The drama and the competition quickly made the story a favorite among the group.

"Satchel Paige was the truth," he said. "Negro League World Series, [Paige] walked the bases loaded to face the most feared hitter in all of baseball [Gibson] -- and struck him out on three pitches after telling him what he was going to throw."

It was one of the many narratives that Kendrick, the president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, shared with the participants as the leadoff guest speaker during the first week of the ninth annual invitational at the Jackie Robinson Complex in Vero Beach, Fla., from July 23-26.

The event -- formerly known as the “Elite Development Invitational” -- is designed to serve as a youth-oriented, on-field diversity initiative that aims to get high school-age players with diverse backgrounds to the next levels of the game. Along with developing their skills on the diamond, competitors receive mentorship and inspiration from the program's educational component.

Along with sharing stories about Paige and Gibson, Kendrick also shared stories about Aaron’s beginnings before playing in the Majors.

"To be part of this event, helping people understand that [Aaron’s] illustrious professional baseball career began in the Negro Leagues,” Kendrick said, "... he is an example of the talent that called the Negro Leagues home."

Through telling the history of the pioneers from the Negro Leagues, Kendrick created a foundation for the participants to understand the impact the Leagues had on modern-day baseball and in greater society, as an extension of the civil rights movement.

"Bob is like a historical walking encyclopedia when it comes to the Negro Leagues and the history of African-American players in this game,” said Del Matthews, MLB’s vice president of baseball development.

The impact of the Negro Leagues surrounds the event, which draws its name from the influence of the Hall of Fame slugger. The different teams involved are also named after other key figures from the Leagues.

Kendrick helped to provide a deeper perspective.

"When we talk about the history of the Negro Leagues, we are also talking about the history of this country,” he said. “It represents America at her worst, but it also represents America at her triumph. To me, that’s what makes the story of the Negro Leagues so awe-inspiring, so compelling."

"To have the Negro Leagues be such a prevalent part of this kind of conversation is exciting for me," Kendrick continued. "[I hope] to relate and help them understand their place in this game, particularly as both African-American and Hispanic athletes. Their legacy in baseball is entrenched in the Negro Leagues as it relates to this country and I get to convey that and share that."

He embodied the passion of his subject matter as he spoke, and the message resonated with the participants -- who were invited from different programs and groups including the MLB Youth Academy, Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Program, Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, USA Baseball, the Buck O'Neil Scouts Association, and MLB Clubs & Scouts. The significance of the narratives held their weight.

"I love the stories he put out for us today,” said Javon Johnson, a right-handed pitcher who will be Draft-eligible in 2027. “It’s more than just searching it up on the internet and reading from an article. It’s someone talking to us, someone telling us firsthand the story."

"My biggest takeaway is that we are the next generation of baseball players, so we have to keep passing on this information in history so we never forget it,” said Braylon Hubbard, a shortstop who will be eligible for the Draft in '28.

The invitational will continue with Week Two, which began on Sunday and will continue through Thursday. The top 44 players from the second week will be invited to play in a showcase game at Truist Park as part of "Hank Aaron Week" hosted by the Braves. The event will include a variety of diversity- and culture-focused initiatives focusing on business networking, celebrating the nostalgic history connected to Aaron's legacy, philanthropy, education, and social justice.