Teams from the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, Presented by Toyota are set to open play today, Friday, July 5, in the second annual Commissioner’s Cup and Jennie Finch Classic tournaments as part of All-Star Weekend festivities.

Julian Olivo will catch and pitch for the Rangers Academy baseball team in Commissioner’s Cup play. It’s his first time making the trip, but he’s heard good things from his teammates who participated last year in Washington D.C.

“They said it was a wonderful thing and they enjoyed it. They had fun out there going to the All-Star activities and being part of it, they said it was great,” Olivo said. (Video of Olivo discussing the Academy and the Commissioner’s Cup is available here: https://www.mlb.com/rangers/video/olivo-on-commissioner-s-cup-tex)

The All-Star Commissioner’s Cup is a competitive tournament featuring 10 teams of youth baseball players (ages 17 and under) from MLB Youth Academies around the country and Puerto Rico. Games will be played at both Cleveland's Historic League Park and Case Western Reserve University, which will lodge the athletes throughout the tournament.

While Olivo’s teammates who participated last year have spoken highly of the All-Star experience, their team goals are more focused.

“Obviously win,” Olivo said. “But just being grateful. Don’t take it for granted.”

In addition to being selected for the Commissioner’s Cup, Olivo also plays in the Academy’s RBI league and participates in programming. But it doesn’t end there. Olivo is a member of Pinkston High School’s class of 2020, so he also plays his high school baseball games on Oates Field at the Academy.

“This is a fun place. They really take me in, help me expand and see things I wouldn’t be able to see,” Olivo said of what the Academy means to him.

“It gets me much more exposure than I would have. Bringing people in, being able to sit down and actually have a conversation with some MLB players. Giving me a place to work, weight room, turf fields, it’s nice.”

It comes as no surprise, then, that what Olivo is most looking forward to about the Commissioner’s Cup experience is focused on the name that will be on the front of his jersey.

“Competing,” Olivo said of what he was excited about. “Representing the Texas Rangers Youth Academy out there.”

Jennie Finch Classic

On the softball side, the Academy team also opens play today, Friday, July 5, in the Jennie Finch Classic, which features 10 teams of youth softball players (ages 17 and under) from MLB Youth Academies and Jennie Finch programming. (Click here for more information on the Academy’s team in the Jennie Finch Classic).   

Games will be played at Berea-Midpark High School and Baldwin Wallace University, which will lodge the players. The championship game will be held at Mather Park at Case Western University.

RBI Action

The 2019 Texas Rangers Youth Academy RBI Summer League season is officially in the books, as the season-ending Rangers RBI Wood Bat Tournament presented by NIKE wrapped up for the Senior Division on Tuesday, July 2 with Vikings defeating the Grays.  

The Chiefs defeated the Sounds on June 28 to win the RBI Junior Division Wood Bat Championship. 

Alliance defeated the Cougars on June 26 to win the RBI Softball Tournament Championship.

Teams are now being finalized and practices are underway for the RBI-All Star squads that will represent the Academy at the RBI Southwest regionals in Austin from July 18 through 21.

Summer Camps

Session B of the Academy’s Summer Training Program begins July 23 and runs through August 16.

Programming is Tuesday through Friday mornings from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Registration is available at https://texasrangersya.leagueapps.com/camps.