CHICAGO -- The locale for the annual White Sox Amateur City Elite collegiate-signing-day ceremony moved from the Guaranteed Rate Field Conference and Learning Center to the Stadium Club on Wednesday night.
But the spirit of this great initiative begun by the White Sox in 2007 certainly stayed the same. The 20 ACE players who signed their letters of intent brought the total to more than 190 who headed to higher-education institutions with the help of ACE. Twenty-four ACE alumni have been drafted by Major League teams.
"I see it changing every year because you see these younger kids who aspire to be these kids who are here tonight," said White Sox vice president of community relations Christine O'Reilly-Riordan, who is also one of ACE's co-founders. "We are seeing the kids see some of the schools where the kids are signing letters of intent, and it's really creating the sense of aspiration we haven't seen in the past. That's pretty amazing."

"It means family, it means brotherhood," said Justice Page, a 16-year-old from Chicago's South Side who signed to play at Clark Atlanta University. "They stayed there for me. They offer a lot of services and programs and things that can help you physically and mentally."
Page, who skipped a grade at Lindblom Math & Science Academy, mentioned ACT prep courses offered through ACE along with the elite baseball competition provided to nine teams ranging from 12-and-under to 17-and-under. The 17U team won the 2018 Senior Baseball Championship in the RBI World Series, and members of that team received their rings and the trophy at the close of Wednesday's ceremony.
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson met with the honorees and answered some questions about what these players can expect from their baseball future. A program such as ACE, where top colleges and MLB scouts get a chance to view potentially undiscovered talent, wasn't available to Anderson when he was working his way toward the Majors as a young player in Alabama.
"They are going to try to put you in college, and that's the ultimate goal -- to go to college and further your education. That's really important, and the White Sox care a lot," Anderson said. "I just hope and pray they take advantage of the opportunity and hopefully they will be up here playing against me or with me."

"We had our first signing day in 2011," said O'Reilly-Riordan. "It's hard to believe we've been doing it every year and the success of the kids. We are in this bigger space because we needed it. There are so many kids, really excelling."
An educational consultant works with the older ACE kids, and the White Sox are bringing on another to work with the younger kids, stressing academics as much as athletics. Character development is an important part of the ACE experience.
That trait was on display Wednesday, when the 20 players introduced themselves and announced their present high school and collegiate destination. There were plenty of thanks handed out to ACE coaches, high school coaches and family members.
When it came to talking about what ACE meant to them, a signing-day tradition, words such as "brotherhood" and "family" were frequently used. It's all a byproduct of this unique baseball experience, featuring individuals who want to be forensic scientists, accountants and, of course, Major League players.
"As you can see, the classes are growing. These guys are excited, and I'm excited for them," Anderson said. "A lot of credit goes to the White Sox for what they are doing, and I couldn't be happier to be a part of it."