2015 Astros RBI Program to hold tryouts for summer baseball and softball leagues

Astros RBI, a free baseball and softball program funded by the Astros Foundation, is holding tryouts for their summer baseball and softball leagues in the upcoming weeks at the Houston Astros Urban Youth Academy, located at 2801 S. Victory Drive, Houston, TX 77088. 

Astros RBI includes teams in three divisions: junior baseball (boys 13-15), senior baseball (boys 16-18) and senior softball (girls 13-18). Baseball tryouts are scheduled for May 2, 9 and 16, and softball tryouts are scheduled for May 9 and 16 of this year. More information including specific timing for tryouts is now available at www.astros.com/uya.

In 2014, nearly 300 youth baseball and softball players participated in the Astros RBI program. The senior boys' baseball and senior girls' softball teams were Southwest Regional Champions, and both went on to play in the MLB RBI World Series. The 2015 Astros RBI season will begin play on Monday, June 1. 

"We are very proud of the Astros RBI program and the Astros Urban Youth Academy, " said Astros owner Jim Crane. "The RBI program is a continuation of our efforts at the Academy where we provide free baseball and softball instruction. Our focus of developing skills on the field helps to instill important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, dedication and respect for others."  

"The success of the 2014 Astros RBI season clearly demonstrates the success of our efforts at the Astros Urban Youth Academy," said Astros Executive Director of Community Relations and the Astros Foundation Twila Carter. "The Astros Foundation is keenly focused on increasing opportunities in youth baseball and softball by continuing to offer this type of free programming at the UYA. We look forward to another successful season of Astros RBI baseball and softball."  

Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities, (RBI) is a Major League Baseball program. Organized in 1989, RBI gives youngsters the opportunity to combine athletics and academics. The Astros Urban Youth Academy (UYA) is operated by the Astros Foundation and provides free baseball and softball instruction, life skills training and academic support to Houston youth, with a focus on serving inner city and at-risk children and teens. 

The Houston Astros UYA at Sylvester Turner Park on the north side of Houston boasts experienced instructors and hosts baseball and softball camps, clinics and other activities year-round, free of charge, to young athletes ages 7 to 17. In addition to the new Astros RBI program, the UYA staff will also provide mentoring, leadership development and assistance with the college application process.