Summer Training Starts Soon

On Monday, June 28, summer training at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy will officially begin. All athletes ages 7-to-18 can register for free baseball and softball training, with sessions occurring multiple days per week.

Each training group will have drills tailored to their skill level, ranging from the basic principles of hitting, catching and baserunning, to techniques focused on increasing throwing velocity and strike zone recognition. Athletes who register for the six-week session will be assigned to training groups for specialized coaching based on age and skill level as assessed by Academy coaches and staff.

Youth Academy athletes will have the chance to learn from several hand-selected coaches, who have varying experience on the baseball diamond, from playing on Division I teams in college to Major League tryouts. One coach particularly excited for the return of summer training is Dash Johnson, a six-year college baseball player and 2021 graduate from Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

“I enjoy coaching because it gives me the ability to impact so many young athletes, not only in baseball but in life,” said Johnson. “I also love giving back to the community and passing down some of the knowledge that I have gained in my baseball career.”

Dash has been a part-time summer coach at the Youth Academy since 2018 while attending school full time. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Health & Sports Science, a minor in Sports & Exercise Psychology and a master’s degree in Adult Education.

Johnson’s many years as an athlete and natural leadership ability, paired with his education, make him just one of several top-notch coaches that will be training DFW baseball and softball players for the next six weeks.

“I expect this to be another amazing year of training. The staff here is phenomenal, and every day we all strive to leave a lasting impact on each individual we come in contact with,” said Johnson. “Kids will learn baseball and softball skills, but also how to be great young men and women in the future! This year will be extremely special because it will be my first year as a full-time coach, as I am no longer playing.

“Coaching is the only connection I have now with baseball, and I will work as hard as I did as a player, but now on the other side, as a coach.”

While the first day of training is fast approaching, athletes from across the area can sign up to join the Texas Rangers Youth Academy summer training sessions at any time.

“Everyone should sign up for summer training because it is an amazing opportunity to learn and grow as baseball and softball players, and it’s at no cost. Baseball is not a cheap sport, and this free training is a great way to get kids back into baseball, plus the environment at the Academy is so welcoming,” added Johnson.

The 2021 summer training session will run from Monday, June 28, 2021, to Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. To register your young athletes, visit texasrangersya.leagueapps.com/camps.

Science of Baseball, Presented by Nike

This Summer, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy will offer a three-week Science of Baseball camp, presented by Nike.

Four days a week, from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Youth Academy youngsters will learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These students will learn the basics of STEM and how it applies to baseball and everyday life.

Science of Baseball activities start on Monday, July 12, and conclude on Friday, July 30.

Texas Rangers Youth Academy to Host 2021 MLB RBI Southwest Regional Baseball and Softball Tournament, July 9-11

The Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at the Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota, has been selected as the host site for the 2021 MLB RBI League Southwest Baseball and Softball Regional Tournament.

The 2021 Southwest Regional Baseball and Softball Tournament will be the first held since 2019, and the first RBI Regional Tournament hosted at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy in West Dallas. All-Star teams from across the region, including Astros RBI, Austin RBI and New Orleans RBI, will compete alongside Rangers RBI.

The Rangers will host all three divisions for the Southwest Regional Tournament, including 15U Baseball, 18U Baseball and 18U Softball. Teams will compete in pool play Friday, July 9, and Saturday, July 10, with the top two teams in each division advancing to the championship games Sunday, July 11.

All tournament games will be open to the public at no cost.

Each division winner from the Southwest Regional Tournament will advance to the MLB RBI Baseball and Softball World Series at the Jackie Robinson Sports Complex in Vero Beach, Florida, from Aug. 2-13.