[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 49 (Monday, March 31, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E439-E440]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HIGHLIGHTING BASEBALL'S EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 31, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight Major League 
Baseball's ongoing effort to reach out to minority communities and 
introduce a press release describing said effort. The league will host 
the first Urban Invitational Baseball Tournament, fielding two 
historically black colleges in recognition of its need to revitalize 
baseball in the African American community. Baseball should be 
committed not only to boasting diversity in its rosters, but to enjoy 
that same minority representation in its coaches, in its management, 
and in its viewership.
  On the heels of the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's historic 
breaking of the color barrier, the league has targeted urban youth and 
pledged its resources to bring them back to the sport. African 
Americans have played integral roles in the illustrious story of 
baseball, and it is a connection worth saving.

     Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy To Host First Urban 
                    Invitational Baseball Tournament

       Major League Baseball today announced that the Major League 
     Baseball Urban Youth Academy will host its first Urban 
     Invitational Baseball Tournament from February 29-March 2. 
     Two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), 
     Bethune-Cookman University (Daytona Beach, FL) and Southern 
     University (Baton Rouge, LA), will face off against 
     collegiate baseball powerhouses UCLA and USC. The 
     participation of HBCUs in the Urban Invitational is part of 
     MLB's ongoing diversity and youth initiatives.
       ``The Urban Invitational Baseball Tournament is a part of 
     our continued focus on reviving the majesty of baseball in 
     the African American community,'' said Major League Baseball 
     Executive Vice President of Operations Jimmie Lee Solomon. 
     ``This tournament, along with the other programs at the MLB 
     Urban Youth Academy, the Civil Rights Game and many of our 
     other efforts, is reflective of the League's commitment to 
     diversity, inclusion and engagement of our nation's young 
     people. Our goal is to make sure that every child who wants 
     to play baseball has an opportunity to do so.''
       Tournament games will be played at the MLB Urban Youth 
     Academy, USC's Dedeaux Field and UCLA's Jackie Robinson 
     Stadium beginning Friday, February 29 and continuing through 
     Sunday, March 2. Both games on Saturday, March 1, 2008, will 
     be played at the MLB Urban Youth Academy and broadcast live 
     on ESPN2. Fans attending on that day will also be entertained 
     by a live performance of Southern University's, ``Human 
     Jukebox'' and USC's Trojan Marching Band, as they bring their 
     unique musical performances to Compton, California. Bethune-
     Cookman University and Southern University baseball teams 
     will square off against each other at 1 p.m. (PST) on Sunday 
     at the Academy.
       ``ESPN is proud to be associated with Major League 
     Baseball's urban initiatives,'' said Len DeLuca, ESPN Senior 
     Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions. ``The

[[Page E440]]

     second Civil Rights Game and new Urban Invitational--40 years 
     since the tragic death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.--are on 
     the heels of our observance last year of the 60th anniversary 
     of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. ESPN is 
     honored to join with MLB to celebrate baseball's cultural 
     history.''
       Tickets to the games being played at the MLB Urban Youth 
     Academy will be available for purchase on game day for $5. 
     Proceeds from the ticket sale will benefit the Major League 
     Baseball Urban Youth Academy, which is a not-for-profit 501 
     (c)(3) corporation.
       ``On behalf of our team, I would like to say how honored we 
     are to have been invited to an event like this, especially in 
     its first year,'' said Bethune-Cookman Coach Mervyl Melendez. 
     ``We hope that the Urban Invitational Baseball Tournament 
     continues to grow and more people notice what Major League 
     Baseball is doing for college baseball and Historically Black 
     Colleges.''
       ``Our program is very excited to represent UCLA in the 
     tournament at the MLB Academy,'' said UCLA coach John Savage. 
     ``We are honored to be able to play in the inaugural event. 
     Our players are looking forward to the exciting weekend of 
     baseball.''
       Major League Baseball is committed to addressing the issue 
     of African American participation in professional baseball. 
     Through Reviving Baseball in the hinder Cities presented by 
     KPMG and the establishment of the Major League Baseball Urban 
     Youth Academy in Compton, California, MLB has pledged its 
     resources to bringing urban youth back to America's pastime. 
     The inaugural Civil Rights Game in 2007 also reinforced the 
     League's dedication by paying tribute to legendary African-
     American players who broke barriers and made important 
     contributions to American society.
       HBCUs have long offered quality education and athletic 
     programs and have a proud tradition of outstanding baseball 
     players. Hall of Farrier Lou Brock, former most valuable 
     player Andre Dawson and current Milwaukee Brewers star Rickie 
     Weeks, all rose from HBCUs. Twelve HBCU players were selected 
     in the MLB 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Through the annual 
     Urban Invitational Baseball Tournament, MLB hopes to help 
     these programs revitalize baseball in the African American 
     community.
       The MLB Urban Youth Baseball Academy encompasses more than 
     15 acres on the campus of El Camino College, Compton Center, 
     the Academy is a state-of-the-art facility featuring four 
     fields including a show field, batting cages and other 
     training facilities. The Academy operates on a year-round 
     basis, offering free baseball and softball instruction, as 
     well as clinics to youth throughout Southern California.

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