For participants at the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, Presented by Toyota, development this winter isn’t restricted to just the hours when the winter training program is in session.

For one group of 12U boys, that development will go on the road this weekend, as they travel to the Texas Rangers Youth Ballpark in Arlington to represent the Academy at a wood bat tournament on Sunday, February 24.

The Academy team was selected following a special workout on Kershaw’s Challenge Field for top 12U Academy participants.

Playing in the tournament will be an opportunity for the young athletes to test out the skills they’ve learned participating in the Academy’s training programs by playing in a competitive environment.

“For many of these kids it will be the first time they participate in a wood bat tournament, and we are excited to see how it all plays out,” said Juan Leonel Garciga, the Texas Rangers Director of Youth Academy and Youth Baseball/Softball Programs.

Game On

High school baseball and softball seasons are underway, and Pinkston High School baseball and softball teams call the Academy home again in 2019.

The facility also supports scheduling for David W. Carter High School and Sunset High School Baseball, in addition to Pinkston Middle School Softball. Various other Dallas ISD games and tournaments are played at the Academy throughout the year, too.

Both Carter and Pinkston baseball teams will take the field at the Academy tonight, Friday, February 22. Carter hosts Trinity Christian on Field of Dreams at 4:00 p.m., while Pinkston hosts W.W. Samuell High School on Oates Field at 6:00 p.m.

The Pinkston softball team will also take the field tonight, playing Madison on Hamilton at 6:00 p.m.

And the Dallas Carter Tournament was added to the schedule for Thursday, February 28 through Saturday, March 2.

Black History Month Dream Works Camp

On Saturday, March 2 the Academy and Mercy Street will partner with Nike community ambassadors to host a free sports camp for baseball and softball players ages 7 through 14.

Drills will be held on Oates and Beltre Fields, and shirts will be distributed to participants. The camp runs from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Registration is available at: https://texasrangersya.leagueapps.com/events

Camp Time

Through six weeks of the Winter Academy Training Session, 961 baseball and softball players have participated.

Training is available for baseball and softball players ages 7 through 18 through Thursday, February 28.

Camp for the 18U athletes runs on Monday and Wednesday nights from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

On Tuesday and Thursday nights, training will be available to the 12U athletes, also from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Registration is available at https://texasrangersya.leagueapps.com/camps.