Chicago White Sox Youth Baseball. Growing the Game in the Inner City

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1 Chicago White Sox Youth Baseball Growing the Game in the Inner City

2 It s an opportunity to influence young athletes but more importantly, it s an opportunity to influence young men. Ken Williams General Manager Number of Participants ACE RBI ICYB yrs yrs yrs Participation Figures

The Chicago White Sox are committed to giving all children the opportunity to enjoy the

baseball programs that target inner-city youth of all ages and playing skills, from

This commitment to youth baseball began with the Inner City Youth Baseball League in 1993,

3 The Chicago White Sox are committed to giving all children the opportunity to enjoy the game of baseball, and with that philosophy, White Sox Charities continues to fund youth baseball programs that target inner-city youth of all ages and playing skills, from recreational and intermediate levels to highly-competitive travel teams. This commitment to youth baseball began with the Inner City Youth Baseball League in 1993, and continues today with White Sox Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) and the Amateur City Elite (ACE) programs. Since 1993, nearly 10,000 youth in the city of Chicago have participated in youth baseball programs funded by Chicago White Sox Charities. C H I C A G O W H I T E S O X CE AMATEUR CITY ELITE

White Sox Amateur City Elite C H I C A G O W H I T E S O X CE AMATEUR CITY ELITE The Amateur City Elite (ACE) teams are the trophy program in terms of baseball ability within the White Sox youth

Not only is the mission of the program to develop high caliber inner-city baseball players who are athletically prepared for collegiate baseball, but even more importantly, develop and prepare

4 White Sox Amateur City Elite C H I C A G O W H I T E S O X CE AMATEUR CITY ELITE The Amateur City Elite (ACE) teams are the trophy program in terms of baseball ability within the White Sox youth baseball initiatives. Not only is the mission of the program to develop high caliber inner-city baseball players who are athletically prepared for collegiate baseball, but even more importantly, develop and prepare players to succeed in life after baseball. The teams are comprised of students years of age who attend high school within the city of Chicago. The teams focus on the development of these inner-city athletes through an elite training and competition schedule, and also provides team members with academic and professional direction. The teams are instructed by baseball experts from the Bulls/Sox Training Academy, along with top coaches from inner-city Chicago Public High Schools.

Playing at the next level Kendall Radcliffe Ronzelle Fort Two Ace

RADCLIFFE, OF RONZELLE FORT, LHP 25th round, to the Texas Rangers,

to the White Sox Since the ACE program s inception in 2007, four

including Troy White (48th round to Indians) and Steve Florence (50th

5 Playing at the next level Kendall Radcliffe Ronzelle Fort Two Ace Players were Drafted in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft KENDALL RADCLIFFE, OF RONZELLE FORT, LHP 25th round, to the Texas Rangers, First ACE player to sign a professional baseball contract 46th round, to the White Sox Since the ACE program s inception in 2007, four players have been drafted by professional baseball organizations, including Troy White (48th round to Indians) and Steve Florence (50th round to White Sox). In addition, 15 players have gone on to play collegiate baseball.

6 Double Duty Classic

Quintin Richardson (RIGHT) was named MVP of the 2010

Third Annual Double Duty Classic an event celebrating

Chicago and promoting the next generation of

The annual event recreates the historic Negro Leagues

Park and features some of the top high school baseball

A forum precedes the game and features a roster of

7 Quintin Richardson (RIGHT) was named MVP of the 2010 Double Duty Classic In June, the White Sox hosted the Third Annual Double Duty Classic an event celebrating the history and tradition of Negro League baseball in Chicago and promoting the next generation of inner-city baseball players. The annual event recreates the historic Negro Leagues East-West All-Star games played in Chicago at Comiskey Park and features some of the top high school baseball players in Chicago and from across the Country. A forum precedes the game and features a roster of speakers and prominent members of the baseball community, including White Sox general manager Ken Williams.

Chicago White Sox RBI The mission of the White Sox Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program is to provide free, safe, structured recreational baseball programming during the

The league reaches youth living in under-served communities, including all of the Chicago Housing Authority s (CHA) major family housing developments and CHA s scattered-site housing.

8 Chicago White Sox RBI The mission of the White Sox Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program is to provide free, safe, structured recreational baseball programming during the summer months to inner-city youth ages who may not have the financial resources and support to participate in similar programming. The league reaches youth living in under-served communities, including all of the Chicago Housing Authority s (CHA) major family housing developments and CHA s scattered-site housing. The program gives these participants the opportunity to interact with positive role models and experience teamwork and cooperation through the game of baseball. Group photo with Hall of Famer Hank Aaron. Gordon Beckham pictured with youth.

2010 15U Tournament Team Regional Tournament 15U TOURNAMENT TEAM RBI Regional July 21-24, 2010,

Age Division Champions Played Championship Game at Target Field defeating the Cubs RBI program Named

Minneapolis, Minn. Fifteen participants, ages 16-18 Chicago White Sox Sr.

9 U Tournament Team Regional Tournament 15U TOURNAMENT TEAM RBI Regional July 21-24, 2010, Minneapolis, Minn. Fifteen participants, ages Chicago White Sox Jr. Age Division Champions Played Championship Game at Target Field defeating the Cubs RBI program Named Central Regional Champions for the second straight year 18U TOURNAMENT TEAM RBI Regional July 21-24, 2010, Minneapolis, Minn. Fifteen participants, ages Chicago White Sox Sr. Age Division Runner Ups Played Championship Game at Target Field losing to the Cubs RBI program 2010 marked the first year of participation in the Sr. Age Division U Tournament Team

RBI Division Champions The White Sox Reviving

were champions of the 2010 RBI Central Regional for

White Sox senior vice president and general manager

10 RBI Division Champions The White Sox Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) 15U All-Star Team were champions of the 2010 RBI Central Regional for the second year in a row. White Sox senior vice president and general manager Ken Williams congratulated the team during an on-field ceremony before a White Sox game.

RBI Team Captain John Danks RBI Captain Meet N Greet To improve RBI participant morale

and broadcasters serve as honorary Team Captains during the summer.

jersey featuring their captain s name, a Sox cap, and a signed item.

leadership clinic for RBI athletes focusing on examples of effective leadership

11 RBI Team Captain John Danks RBI Captain Meet N Greet To improve RBI participant morale and encourage sustained participation in the program, current White Sox team members and broadcasters serve as honorary Team Captains during the summer. RBI teams take part in a special meet-and-greet with their Team Captain and receive a jersey featuring their captain s name, a Sox cap, and a signed item. Volunteers from KPMG, national sponsor of the RBI program, also held an interactive leadership clinic for RBI athletes focusing on examples of effective leadership techniques. The White Sox hosted seven RBI captain meet-and-greets during the 2010 season. RBI Team Captains Carlos Quentin and Juan Pierre

Breakthrough Series The Breakthrough Series is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and USA Baseball.

have not participated in other travel and high-end tournaments prior to the Breakthrough Series, providing them with an opportunity for national exposure.

1 overall pick in the event draft) The tournament consists of 80 players selected by the Major League Scouting Bureau, the MLB Urban Youth Academy, the Atlanta-based

12 Breakthrough Series The Breakthrough Series is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and USA Baseball. Designed to showcase rising high school junior and senior baseball players from urban areas throughout the United States, the event features athletes who typically have not participated in other travel and high-end tournaments prior to the Breakthrough Series, providing them with an opportunity for national exposure. JULY 26 30, 2010 BLAKE HICKMAN, (No. 1 overall pick in the event draft) The tournament consists of 80 players selected by the Major League Scouting Bureau, the MLB Urban Youth Academy, the Atlanta-based Mentoring Viable Prospects (MVP), the White Sox and USA Baseball. Featuring athletes from across the United States, the annual Breakthrough Series is truly a national showcase event. USA Baseball pays for each player s expenses and works closely with all of the selected participants leading up to the event, distributing information to both players and parents.

Jackie Robinson Day On April 20, 2010, members of the White Sox Charities-sponsored

the White Sox celebrated Jackie Robinson Day at U.S. Cellular Field.

13 Jackie Robinson Day On April 20, 2010, members of the White Sox Charities-sponsored Amateur City Elite (ACE) baseball program took part in various on-field activities as the White Sox celebrated Jackie Robinson Day at U.S. Cellular Field. Thirteen and under ACE team member Jeremiah Anderson threw out a ceremonial first pitch. In addition, ACE youth took the field with the White Sox prior to the game s first pitch. All youth wore Number 42 White Sox jerseys to commemorate the legacy and spirit of Jackie Robinson.

Inner City Youth Baseball The mission of the Inner City Youth Baseball (ICYB) program is to provide free, safe, structured recreational baseball programming during the summer

14 Inner City Youth Baseball The mission of the Inner City Youth Baseball (ICYB) program is to provide free, safe, structured recreational baseball programming during the summer months to inner-city youth age 9-12 who may not have the financial resources and support to participate in similar programming. The league reaches youth living in under-served communities, including all of the Chicago Housing Authority s (CHA) major family housing developments and CHA s scattered-site housing. The program serves as the feeder program into the White Sox RBI program and gives these participants the opportunity to interact with positive role models and to experience teamwork and cooperation through the game of baseball.

15 Kids take the field Youth from White Sox Charities-sponsored Inner City Youth Baseball programs took the field with the White Sox prior to the first pitch of select games at U.S. Cellular Field. Participating youth received game tickets, White Sox jerseys and caps, and a signed baseball from a Sox player. In 2010, the White Sox hosted five different kids-take-the-field dates.

The Anderson Monarchs 2012 Barnstorming Tour

The Anderson Monarchs 2012 Barnstorming Tour presented by A tribute to Jackie Robinson and Negro Leagues Baseball 2012 Anderson Monarchs Barnstorming Tour A tribute to Jackie Robinson and Negro Leagues