A group of softball players from the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex Presented by Toyota is set to take their skills on the road next week, traveling to Vero Beach, Florida, for the 2018 Elite Development Invitational.
Erin Ledesma, Hannah Rodriguez, Melanie Henderson, Ximena Zamarron, and Karina Rodriguez are set to participate in the camp at Historic Dodgertown from Thursday, July 5, through Wednesday, July 11.
The camp, which mirrors USA Softball National Team training camp, features instructions opportunities in addition to life lesson seminars with former Olympians, plus USA Softball Players and Coaches.
Ledesma is a 16-year-old shortstop from Dallas. Hannah Rodriguez is a 16-year-old first baseman and outfielder from Irving, Texas. Henderson is a 16-year-old third baseman and catcher from Irving, Texas. Zamarron is a 14-year-old shortstop from Dallas. Karina Rodriguez is a 14-year-old center fielder from Irving, Texas.
All have participated in RBI league play at the Academy this summer and are part of the team which will represent the Academy at the Jennie Finch Classic Thursday, July 12, through Tuesday, July 17, in Washington D.C. during All-Star Weekend.
Commissioner's Cup
The softball quad participating in the Jennie Finch Classic won't be the only group of athletes representing the Academy in Washington D.C. during All-Star Game activities.
Baseball players from Academy programming and RBI teams will participate in the 2018 Commissioner's Cup tournament from Thursday, July 12, through Tuesday, July 17.
Commissioner's Cup Roster:
1 Verdin, Adolfo R/R Pitcher Dallas
2 De Leon, Matthew R/R SS Dallas
3 Cox, Kevin Daniel R/R Pitcher Dallas
4 Sullivan, Carl L/L Pitcher Arlington
5 Guerra, Jacob R/R OF Dallas
6 Malcomesius, Chance R/R OF Irving
7 Enriquez, Julian R/R LF Dallas
8 Gipson, Jonas R/R Catcher Duncanville
9 Deluna, Dominic R/R Pitcher Irving
10 Martinez, Ruben R/R Catcher Irving
11 Flores, Daniel R/R Pitcher Dallas
12 Phillips, Austin R/R 3B Fort Worth
13 Martinez, Vincent L/L Pitcher Irving
14 Rangel, Ricky R/R SS Dallas
15 Hernandez, Sebastian R/R Pitcher Dallas
RBI Playoffs
With RBI play wrapping up for the summer, athletes are looking ahead to the playoff schedule. The playoff tournament is designed to offer the squads an increased level of competition to wrap up the summer programming.
For softball, a single elimination tournament will be held at the Academy on Saturday, June 30, followed by the championship on Monday, July 2.
Playoffs for RBI baseball's senior division started Monday, June 25. The Academy team defeated the Bears to advance.
Approximately 350 players have participated in the RBI League baseball and softball program at the Academy this summer, including 20 teams. The Jr. Division (15U) consists of three teams, the Senior Division (18U) has seven teams, and Softball 18U includes 10 teams.
The current schedule for upcoming contests to be hosted at the Academy is below. Please note that the RBI schedule is subject to change.
6/30 9:00 AM Softball Division (18u) Longhorns Panthers Kershaw's Challenge Field
6/30 9:00 AM Softball Division (18u) Bulldogs Timberwolves Josh Hamilton Field
6/30 9:00 AM Senior Division (18u) Cougars Mercy Street Oates Field
6/30 11:30 AM Softball Division (18u) Spartans Raiders Kershaw's Challenge Field
6/30 11:30 AM Softball Division (18u) Leopards Wildcats Josh Hamilton Field
6/30 11:30 AM Senior Division (18u) Vikings Academy Oates Field
6/30 2:00 PM Softball Division (18u) Gators TBD Kershaw's Challenge Field
6/30 2:00 PM Softball Division (18u) West Dallas A's TBD Josh Hamilton Field
6/30 2:00 PM Junior Division (15u) Mercy Street TBD Oates Field
6/30 4:30 PM Softball Division (18u) Semi Final Semifinal Kershaw's Challenge Field
6/30 4:30 PM Softball Division (18u) Semi Final Semifinal Josh Hamilton Field
6/30 4:30 PM Junior Division (15u) Championship Game Oates Field
7/2 7:00 PM Softball Division (18u) Championship Game Josh Hamilton Field
7/5 7:00 PM Senior Division (18u) Championship Game Oates Field
For games played at Oates Field, the address is 2303 Bickers St., Dallas, TX 75212. Parking is available behind the building.
For games played at Field of Dreams, Hamilton, and Kershaw's Challenge Field, the address is the 3500 Goldman St., Dallas, TX 75212. Parking is available in the lot in front of Kershaw's Challenge Field.
All-Star Talent
Tryouts for the RBI Senior Division All Stars were hosted at the Academy on Wednesday, June 27. Athletes competed in a pro style workout as coaches evaluate and determine who will be the 15 players selected.
Players are nominated by their regular season RBI coaches, then evaluated by Academy coaches and staff during the tryouts.
Once selected, the team will practice and workout throughout the month of July leading up to the RBI Southwest Regional Tournament in Austin, Texas, July 26 through 29, where they will compete against Houston Academy, NOLA Academy, Austin RBI, and other RBI programs in the region. Winners in each division will advance to the RBI World Series in August in Minnesota.
Summer Campers
Through the third week of summer camp at the Rangers Academy, 765 athletes have participated in the free activities.
The five-week program runs through Thursday, July 12. Activities will take place Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., with no camp on July 4.
Baseball and softball players, ages 7 to 18, have the opportunity to work on hitting, fielding, defensive strategies, throwing, and all aspects of their sport with member of the Academy coaching staff.
Registration is available at https://texasrangersya.leagueapps.com/camps.
While programming may be located inside due to weather, parents and guardians will be notified in advance if weather should interfere with camps.
Academy notebook
A group of softball players from the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex Presented by Toyota is set to take their skills on the road next week, traveling to Vero Beach, Florida, for the 2018 Elite Development Invitational.
June 29th, 2018