Three Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes invited to Girls Baseball Trailblazer Series

Three Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes are joining the likes of 100 young women in changing the game of baseball this weekend at the Jackie Robison Training Complex in Vero Beach.

Aaliyah Marquez, Daisy Armendariz and Giselle Zamarron are breaking the mold of a typical ballplayer and creating a name for themselves at the 2022 Girls Baseball Trailblazer Series.

The Trailblazer Series, first established in 2019, is a one-of-a-kind girls baseball tournament hosted in conjunction with Jackie Robinson Day. Around 100 female baseball players from across the U.S. and Canada are gathering this weekend for the three-day tournament. Athletes ages 11 to 13 will have the chance to learn from some of the nation’s top female baseball coaches and players, including members of the USA Baseball Women’s National Team.

Major League Baseball and USA Baseball formed the Trailblazer Series in response to the growing demand for girls’ baseball while drawing inspiration from Jackie Robinson, a pioneer for accessibility and inclusivity.

Marquez, Armendariz, and Zamarron are each making their first appearance at the Trailblazer Series and will spend Jackie Robinson Day following in his footsteps.

Breaking Barriers Essay Contest winners to attend Jackie Robinson Day Celebration at Globe Life Field

Earlier this year, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy celebrated Black History Month by encouraging its athletes to participate in Sharon Robinson’s Breaking Barriers Essay Contest. Several Youth Academy athletes ages 7-18 submitted original stories, illustrations and poems centered around Jackie Robinson’s legacy.

Participants entering the contest were asked to recall a time they overcame a barrier by using one or more of Jackie’s nine values: citizenship, commitment, courage, determination, excellence, integrity, justice, persistence and teamwork.

The 2022 Breaking Barriers Essay Contest winners were announced in March and awarded a Jackie Robinson Day hat and a copy of Sharon Robinson’s book “A Hero Two Doors Down.”

On Friday, April 15, contest winners Spencer Hudson, Luciano Lopez and Alyssa Summers will attend the Rangers, Angels game and join Major League Baseball in celebrating the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier.

Luciano Lopez, the winner of the ages 10-12 category, shares a story about a time he remained persistent, just as Jackie did when he first changed baseball 75 years ago.

Persistence

By Luciano Lopez

Persistence is not easy when you have the pain of rejection. Jackie Robinson had nine values and persistence is one of the values that I strive to keep.

I recently tried out for a travel tournament and was not selected. I knew why I didn’t make it. I didn’t try my hardest. I didn’t let that stop me from playing baseball. Not making the team hurt, really bad. I decided I wanted to be a better baseball player and being sad about not making the team was not going to help me get better.

In my spare time I read books about baseball. I read about what successful people did to be the best. I read about their life stores and struggles. I have also read a book about the game of baseball and the small things that make a big game.

I competed in my school science fair and my topic was “Which drink has the most electrolytes?” When I have a baseball game staying hydrated is important. I measured the electrolytes with a voltmeter. I won the school science fair and then placed second in the Dallas Independent School District fair in the chemistry category. I went on to compete in the regional fair.

I am also working on my skills and technique. I practice by going to the batting cage to get better at my swing. I play wall ball on the side of my house to get better at fielding, work on my pitching and my endurance. I look at YouTube videos and pick-up pointers. My parents and coaches tell me I am improving.

Jackie Robinson’s values and persistence in the game of baseball while being treated terribly and having to follow unfair rules show me to never give up. Persistence is harder after school when I am tired. I am persistent anyway. I will continue to work on expanding my knowledge and improving my skills every day.

April High School Baseball & Softball Schedule

Below is the schedule of the Pinkston, Sunset and Thomas Jefferson High School baseball and softball games to be played at the Academy in April. Scheduling is subject to change.