The weather played havoc with the local baseball schedule last week, so the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex Presented by Toyota is stepping in to ensure the games get in this week by hosting a doubleheader for Roosevelt High School on Oates Field tonight, Friday, April 13. 
The Pinkston Vikings and Roosevelt Mustangs will square off at 4:00 p.m. in a makeup game due to lightning delays last Friday. At 7:00 p.m., Roosevelt will face Ranchview in a game that was relocated to the Academy to enable both Pinkston and Roosevelt to play tonight. 
Tuesday, April 17, will mark Teacher Appreciation Night for the Sunset baseball team. Each player has chosen a teacher to honor for Teacher Appreciation Night prior to their contest against Seagoville.  
An updated schedule of upcoming games at the Academy is below:
April 13   4:00 p.m.   Pinkston vs Roosevelt Baseball   Oates    
April 13   7:00 p.m.   Roosevelt vs Ranchview Baseball   Oates    
April 17   6:30 p.m.   Pinkston vs Lincoln Baseball   Field of Dreams   Youth Baseball Night
April 17   4:30 p.m.   Sunset vs Seagoville JV Baseball   Oates   Teacher Appreciation Night
April 17   7:30 p.m.   Sunset vs Seagoville Varsity Baseball   Oates     
April 17   6:30 p.m.   Pinkston vs Ranchview Softball   Hamilton    
Pinkston High School baseball and softball teams practice and play all their home games at the Academy. Additionally, the facility supports scheduling for Sunset High School baseball games and Edison Middle School softball contests. Entrance is free to all games. 
Class for Coaches
Academy coaches Erick Rodriguez, Hugo Rodriguez, and Daniella Hernandez, along with Rangers Director of Youth Academy & Baseball/Softball Programs Juan Leonel Garciga, spent Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7 in Arizona at the Rangers Extended Spring Training.
They attended daily staff meetings and were on the field for minor league workouts and games both days.
"The coaching level is so different there, that's something that really opened up my eyes," Hernandez said about the experience. "It's amazing how they have all these individualized drills for each athlete. That's something that I really want to work on and really do."
It marked the second consecutive year the Rangers baseball operations group worked with Academy staff to facilitate the immersive experience.  
 
In Full Swing
Through seven weeks of spring programming, 744 athletes, ages 9 through 18, have worked on hitting, fielding, throwing, and defensive strategies with members of the Academy coaching staff. 
The 10-week baseball and softball program lasts until May 10 and is held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There is no cost to participate in the spring programming, and registration is still available at texasrangersya.leagueapps.com. 
Monday and Wednesday activities are held on the South Side of the complex, while Thursday is on the North Side. Programming occurs rain or shine, with all activities relocating to the indoor space in the event of weather issues.