KANSAS CITY -- The Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy is celebrating World Softball Day today, June 13, with the announcement of the inaugural fundraising event, KC Queens of the Diamond. On Thursday, August 30, 2018, 28 teams of women leaders from the Kansas City community will compete in a softball tournament at the Academy, while enjoying a morning of networking and team-building. All proceeds from the event will directly fund girls' programming at the Academy.
With limited softball opportunities within the urban core of Kansas City, the Academy offers impactful athletic programs to girls while also helping them develop academically and socially into high-character leaders. The Academy's programs not only focus on growing the games of softball and baseball, but also educational supplementation, social opportunities and professional development.
"We are honored that Kansas City's women leaders have chosen to come together to ensure lasting positive change for the girls in our community," said Darwin Pennye, Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy Executive Director. "We believe in the power of baseball and softball. Instilling a love for this sport and utilizing it to promote positive character development, academic enrichment, and improved health are the primary goals of the Academy. Without the tremendous support of the community through events like Queens of the Diamond, we could not achieve our mission."
The Queens of the Diamond event will begin at 7:30am on Thursday, August 30, 2018. The event will feature a 28-team tournament with each team competing in three games plus a morning program, networking session and lunch reception. Event information and registration is available at www.mlb.com/kcuya.
About the Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy:
The Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy officially opened in 2018 to serve its mission of empowering Kansas City's underserved youth through baseball and softball, as well as academic and social opportunities, to be the leaders of tomorrow. Through our programs, we will build a strong foundation for Academy participants, based on work ethic, leadership, responsibility, accountability, and moral principles. This foundation will allow Academy participants to acquire that unwavering strength of purpose that is the keynote of all individual success. For more information, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/KCMLBUrbanYouthAcademy or www.twitter.com/kc_uya or visit www.mlb.com/kcuya.