Moore dedicated to furthering youth baseball initiatives
CLEVELAND -- When Royals general manager Dayton Moore arrived here in 2006, his goal was not just to resurrect a struggling franchise. He also wanted to revive a connection between the Royals and youth baseball in the community.
After nine years of committing the franchise to those goals, Moore believes an enormous amount of progress has been made.
"We're very proud of the fact that, from statistics we've learned, that youth baseball has a greater presence in Kansas City right now than it did when we got here," Moore said. "It's important that young people today learn the game the proper way.
"And I think we have players who set good examples and connect very well with today's youth. That's why we profile certain players the way we do when we draft them or trade for them or sign them. We want players who love to play the game and play it the right way, and that rubs off on those youths who play baseball in this community."
No one appears more dedicated to making that connection between the Royals and youth baseball than Moore.
Moore's dream is to someday construct a baseball academy for youths in the community through his foundation, C You In The Major Leagues.
"That is our goal -- to help youths from all walks of life learn the game the proper way," Moore said.
Amazingly, Moore finds the time to roll up his sleeves and connect with youth baseball firsthand -- he coaches his son Robert's traveling baseball squad.
"I do love to coach them, and we try to teach them the right way to prepare to play the game," Moore said, "and then the right way to play."
Some other programs the Royals are involved with:
Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities
The Royals are longtime supporters of Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) in Kansas City. As one of the founding partners along with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, the program has grown dramatically over the years. In 2010, the Kansas City, Kan. (KCK), RBI program was started to allow even more kids the chance to play ball.
Royals Charities, together with the Baseball Tomorrow Fund and proceeds from the 2012 All-Star Legacy Fund, has helped to build and renovate several KCMO RBI fields at 43rd and Cleveland and Satchel Paige Stadium.
Royals Charities has committed $300,000 to assist KCK RBI in major renovations of two baseballs fields located at 5325 Parallel Parkway in KCK -- the heart of Wyandotte County.
The Royals host individual KCK and KCMO RBI Nights at Kauffman Stadium, providing tickets, food vouchers and recognition so the youth can experience the joys of a Major League Baseball game.
Chevy Youth Clinics (June 9-11)
As part of a partnership with the KC Chevy Dealers, Royals Alumni will host a free instructional clinic for preselected children on the Kauffman Stadium field. More than 200 kids attend each clinic led by 5-6 Royals alumni.
MLBPAA Clinic (July 28)
The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association will host a youth clinic for select players in area youth leagues at Kauffman Stadium.
Special Olympics Clinic/Game (Date TBD)
The Royals will welcome athletes from Special Olympics Kansas City Metro and Special Olympics Kansas to Kauffman Stadium from for a special on-field clinic with select Royals instructors.
PLAY Clinic (June 18)
The Royals will team up with the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) to host a free PLAY (Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth) clinic at Kauffman Stadium. Head athletic trainer Nick Kenney and members of the Royals' sports-medicine staff will lead preselected youth in exercises to promote health and wellness.
Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids (July 7)
The Royals and Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids will host a youth clinic for kids with special needs. Several Royals players and alumni will lead the clinic and present each child with baseball instruction, as well as individualized Royals jerseys.