Marlins unveil MLB Youth Academy at Babcock Park in Hialeah

MIAMI -- A little rain couldn’t dampen Monday afternoon’s ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Miami Marlins MLB Youth Academy at Babcock Park in Hialeah.

In fact, the rain allowed for a better showcase of the drainage system and other enhancements of the year-and-a-half-long project.

Developed through a partnership with the Miami Marlins Foundation, Major League Baseball and the City of Hialeah, with support from the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, the Miami Marlins MLB Youth Academy features three turf fields, a high school-sized show field, an indoor skills facility, lights and more.

“This is not just the ribbon cutting today,” City of Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo said. “This is truly something that will impact generations of Hialeah residents to come.”

The Marlins, who have held RBI programming at Babcock Park for the past four years, have reached more than 1,500 youth athletes annually through Marlins Nike RBI, Fall Rookies, Summer Sandlot, Advanced Training, instructional clinics and other initiatives. Antonio Alfonseca, an 11-year Major Leaguer from 1997-2007, has been coaching for two years.

“In addition to giving every kid a chance to play, academies like this help us attract the best athletes to the game, and that's what makes our game compelling,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said. “I'm sure there are going to be some kids who go through this academy who eventually play in the Major Leagues.

“Last and maybe most important, we feel a great obligation to give back to the communities that give so much support to our Major League teams. Academies like this provide children a safe place to go, a place where there's educational activity. Some of them actually provide nutritional programs, so those academies are something that we will continue to build around the country. I know that the academy here will enhance and expand our academy program. Our game is in a great place right now, and as we look forward, we feel that academies like this are important to our future.”

Some highlights of the enhancements include the same Marlins logo behind home plate at loanDepot park and a shipping container installation. Local artist Vic Garcia reimagined the City Connect artwork with Jackie Robinson’s nine values, a bat-wielding flamingo and Marlins, Major League Baseball and City of Hialeah signage behind the center-field wall at Babcock Park.

Retired Marlins Alfonseca, Jeff Conine and Gaby Sanchez, president of baseball operations Peter Bendix, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava as well as other representatives from the City of Hialeah, Miami-Dade County, Marlins and MLB attended the festivities, which were temporarily moved indoors.

Fifty children from two schools next to Babcock Park -- Lincoln Diaz-Balart Hialeah Elementary and St. John the Apostle Catholic -- that will benefit most from the no-cost year-round programming were also on hand.

The Miami Marlins Youth Academy becomes the 10th such Youth Academy under MLB in the past 20 years, which has been instrumental in the growth of youth participation in both baseball and softball.

Sometimes those youngsters turn into Major Leaguers. Youth Academy alumni include Reds right-hander Hunter Greene, Mariners infielder J.P. Crawford and Braves designated hitter Dominic Smith.

“It's important for us to be part of our community and the places where we are,” Marlins president of business Caroline O’Connor said. “We really want to show up. So, like you said, we have one of the best academies in the Dominican Republic. We're excited to have this, one of the best MLB Youth Academies, and just bring quality to everything that we do and have great experiences for the kids.”

Added Marlins Marlins Chairman, Principal Owner and Control Person Bruce Sherman: “The commitment to the community is here for the Marlins. We'll be there for all time. Our commitment extends beyond Hialeah to South Florida.”

With such a rich history of baseball in Hialeah – from Charlie Hough to Alex Fernandez to Manny Machado – the hope is more ballplayers are on the way with the existence of the Miami Marlins MLB Youth Academy.

And even if baseball isn’t part of their long-term future, the kids can still learn valuable life lessons like teamwork, commitment and leadership.

For more information on Marlins youth initiatives, visit Marlins.com/Community.