Academy Notebook: Corey Seager hosts hitting clinic at Texas Rangers Youth Academy; Savannah Bananas stop by All-Star Legacy Park
Corey Seager hosts hitting clinic at Texas Rangers Youth Academy
Texas Rangers All-Star shortstop Corey Seager returned to the Texas Rangers Youth Academy for his hitting clinic Thursday, Oct. 3. Seager, accompanied by his wife Mady, spent the evening guiding 20 young athletes at the Academy’s facility in West Dallas.
The event, which focused on improving hitting techniques, gave participants a rare opportunity to receive hands-on instruction from one of Major League Baseball’s top players. Seager was joined by Rangers hitting coach Seth Conner, who provided additional coaching and support to the young players.
Seager, a cornerstone of the Rangers’ lineup, emphasized the importance of fostering a love for the game among younger athletes
“Something we just enjoy is being able to give back and be around a younger side of baseball that has enjoyment and fun,” Seager said. “It brings back the game for me, and it brings me back to being a kid and enjoying it, instead of it being a job.”
Throughout the clinic, Seager shared his own experiences and offered advice and encouragement to players of various ages and skill levels. Mady Seager also actively supported the young student-athletes, contributing to an atmosphere of fun and learning.
The Texas Rangers Youth Academy continues to provide local athletes with opportunities to develop their skills, offering programs to foster athletic and personal growth through the sport.
Savannah Bananas bring fun to Texas Rangers Youth Academy
What it is: On Oct. 7, the Savannah Bananas, a team known for their fan-centric, fun-filled approach to baseball, hosted a clinic for Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes in West Dallas. The following day, auditions were held at the Youth Academy for those looking to join the high-energy, entertaining baseball team.
Why it matters: The clinic provided young athletes an opportunity to learn from a team that has a fun approach to how baseball can be played and experienced, focusing on creativity, community and joy in the sport. The auditions represent a unique chance for local players to potentially join the Bananas' distinctive brand of baseball, blending athleticism with entertainment.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Learn more about what's happening at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy by visiting TexasRangers.com/Academy and connecting on Instagram @RangersYA and X @RangersYA**.
Education & Buckner International programming
The Texas Rangers Youth Academy goes beyond baseball and softball programming to benefit our community. With help from our partner Buckner International, the Academy hosts free education and enrichment courses for athletes and their families throughout the year.
Register for all Youth Academy classes.
About the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy
The Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at the Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota, opened in December 2017. This state-of-the-art facility provides children across North Texas a place to play baseball and softball. In addition to providing year-round baseball and softball instruction, the Academy hosts tournaments, coaching clinics and skills camps. It also gives young students access to tutoring programs, college prep classes, college and career fairs, financial literacy and internship programs, and MLB industry alternative career workshops.
Donate to the Texas Rangers Youth Academy at rangers.com/donate.
About Buckner International
Buckner International is a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of orphans, vulnerable children, families and senior adults internationally. Founded in 1879 in Dallas, today Buckner serves people through various programs designed to protect children and build strong families. These programs include foster care and adoption, family transition programs, community-based family preservation programs and retirement services for senior adults. Buckner also provides humanitarian aid and crisis relief to poverty-stricken children and families. Learn more and get involved at Buckner.org.
About Mercy Street Sports
The Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy is located in West Dallas at the Mercy Street Sports Complex. Mercy Street Sports is a component of the Christian-based non-profit organization in the inner-city community of West Dallas. Founded in 2003, Mercy Street, Inc. utilized a mentoring program as the primary vehicle to promote positive change and cultivate leaders in the West Dallas community. In 2005, the nonprofit integrated the sports component Mercy Street Sports to extend its outreach efforts and further impact the community. The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation is excited to partner with Mercy Street Sports to further impact the West Dallas community, considered one of the most challenged areas in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
About Nike RBI
The Nike Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program, which has served approximately 2 million young people since its inception, is administered by Major League Baseball and designed to give youth from underserved and diverse communities the opportunity to play baseball and softball while also encouraging academic achievement and success, and teaching the value of teamwork and other important life lessons. Nike RBI serves young men and women in more than 200 programs in approximately 200 cities worldwide. MLB and its Clubs have designated more than $40 million worth of resources to the Nike RBI program, and all 30 Clubs support Nike RBI leagues. For more information about the Nike RBI World Series, please visit mlb.com/rbiworldseries.