Texas Rangers Academy Notebook for Oct. 31, 2025: Aaliyah Marquez and Kaleb Thompkins represent Texas Rangers Youth Academy at 2025 World Series in Toronto
- Texas Rangers Youth Academy represented at 2025 World Series in Toronto
- Softball legend Jennie Finch to host MLB Develops Ambassador Tour event at Rangers Youth Academy
- Rangers Youth Academy hosts annual Halloween Costume Games at West Dallas Facility
Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes Kaleb Thompkins and Aaliyah Marquez both participated in activations surrounding last weekend’s World Series games in Toronto.
Thompkins, an incoming freshman at Prairie View A&M University, was recognized on-field prior to Game 2 of the 2025 World Series on Saturday, Oct. 25, after he was named the Rangers Youth Academy’s 2025 ‘Youth of the Year.’
As part of the experience, the DeSoto native was also invited to assist in leading a special PLAY BALL event in which hundreds of local youth baseball and softball players from the Toronto area received instruction from former MLB stars including CC Sabathia, Nick Swisher, Adam Jones and Dexter Fowler.
Marquez, a native of Duncanville, competed in Major League Baseball’s Pitch Hit & Run Finals event, which was held at Rogers Centre on Sunday, Oct. 26.
She posted a third-place finish amongst the group of five finalists from the 13/14U Softball division after advancing out of the Team Championship round that featured hundreds of competitors from across the country.
QUICK HITTER
Softball legend Jennie Finch to host MLB Develops Ambassador Tour event at Rangers Youth Academy
- GOAT in town: Softball legend Jennie Finch will headline an MLB Develops Ambassador Tour event at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy in West Dallas on Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. The evening will feature interactive clinics, mentorship sessions and a chance for local athletes to learn directly from one of the sport’s most decorated players. Additionally, softball players from the Rangers Youth Academy’s 2025 Jennie Finch Classic Roster will be on hand to provide additional instruction and guidance.
- Finch facts: A two-time Olympian, Finch helped Team USA capture gold at the 2004 Summer Olympics and silver in 2008. She’s also a three-time World Champion and two-time Pan American Games gold medalist. At the collegiate level, Finch led the University of Arizona to a Women’s College World Series title in 2001, earned National Player of the Year honors in 2002 and set an NCAA record with 60 consecutive wins.
- How to register: Youth softball players ages 10-14 years old can register to participate here.
SNAPSHOTS
Texas Rangers Youth Academy hosts annual Halloween Costume Baseball & Softball Games this week
The Texas Rangers Youth Academy hosted its annual Halloween Costume Baseball and Softball Games this week on Oct. 27 and Oct. 31, 2025.
Education & Buckner International programming
The Texas Rangers MLB 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 here for all Youth Academy classes.