June 2009
Al Downing Throws First Pitch
Al Downing threw the ceremonial first pitch for the Barons’ Saturday night game against the San Luis Obispo Rattlers. Downing, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, played for 17 seasons. His career included stints with the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Academy Barons 1st Annual Youth Baseball Clinic
On Saturday afternoon the Academy Barons hosted their first annual youth baseball clinic. Twenty-five kids showed up for the clinic, which was held at the Urban Youth Academy. The kids rotated between nine different workout stations–catching, hitting, outfielder, baserunning, sliding, pitching, third base, middle infield and first base. The two-hour clinic ended with an autograph session with members of the Academy Barons team. In addition, six lucky kids got selected to take the field with the Barons before their 7 p.m. game. The Barons ended up losing 5-1 to the San Luis Obispo Rattlers, dropping their record to 1-3.
UPDATED TIME: Academy Barons Youth Clinic, Saturday June 13th – 1pm-3pm
On Saturday, June 13, the Academy Barons will be hosting a clinic for kids ages 8-14 at the Urban Youth Academy. There is no pre-registration required, however, the clinic will be offered to the first 100 kids who arrive. The clinic will take place from 1:00pm to 3:00pm and will feature different drills and stations for kids to improve their baseball skills. There will also be an opportunity for kids to take pictures with their favorite Barons players.
WHO: Kids ages 8-14 years old (first 100 kids who arrive)
WHAT: Academy Barons Baseball Clinic
WHERE: The Urban Youth Academy
WHEN: Saturday, June 13 from 1pm – 3pm
***The Academy Barons will be playing against the San Luis Obispo Rattlers later that evening at 7 p.m. Tickets are Free. Great contests and prizes are given out throughout the game.***
Barons in the 2009 MLB Draft
Four Academy Barons got the most memorable phone call of their lives on Wednesday afternoon.
Nick Akins, Trayvonne Johnson, Josef Terry and Shuhei Fujiya were notified they had been selected in the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The deadline for teams to sign a drafted player is August 17.
Akins, a leftfielder from Vanguard University, was selected in the 19th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Johnson, a 6-foot-1 catcher, was selected in the 30th round by the Minnesota Twins.
Terry, a second baseman from Cerritos College, was selected in the 17th round by the Seattle Mariners.
Fujiya, a right-handed pitcher from University of Northern Iowa, was selected in the 18th round by the San Diego Padres.
Each player shares their thoughts and feelings about being drafted.
Akins: “I was just excited to get my name called. … This is my third time being drafted so I am signing for sure. I have been waiting for this for a while now. It’s kind of crazy that I am about to go out and chase my dream.”
Fujiya: “Excited and happy was my initial feeling, but I was kind of surprised. I was expecting my name to get called but to actually see my name out there is a real surprise. … It’s been a dream my whole life and to get to that starting point is really unbelievable.”
Terry: “I was shocked and overwhelmed. … It’s my first time being drafted. … Baseball has always been my escape. If i had a problem I would just go out and play baseball. It has just always been my way to rescue me so it just made my dream come true.”
Johnson: “I thought about my auntie who passed away in 2007. I kind of stopped playing once she passed away so when I came back and I got the phone call I knew immediately that this is what she would’ve wanted me to do. I was excited and ready to work hard. I am ready and willing to do anything and everything I have in order to get to the next level. … I was drafted in 2006 by the Phillies right out of high school but this feeling is extremely different. This time I know I was ready and prepared. The opportunity presented itself and with opportunity there is success. So I was just ready to do what I have to do to move to the next level, which is the big show.”
NICK AKINS
SHUHEI FUJIYA
—ERICA METZLER
Academy Barons Home-Opener 6-9-09
The Academy Barons kicked off their season Tuesday night when they faced visiting Conejo Oaks at the Urban Youth Academy. The Barons got off to an early lead and held on to it as they defeated Conejo Oaks 4-3. With effective pitching and clutch hitting, the Barons improved to 1-0 for the season. The Barons will continue their three-game series against Conejo Oaks tonight at 7 p.m. and Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Urban Youth Academy.
Stay tuned for stats and scores for the upcoming games.
Tiger Woods Learning Center- Golf Day June 27th 2009
The Tiger Woods Learning Center is hosting a “Junior Golf Day” on June 27th, from 9am-12pm. We are only taking 40 kids, and the first 40 spots are open to both boys and girls ages 9-16. A bus will be provided for transportation to and from the Tiger Woods Learning Center, and will leave at 8am from the Academy. Please have your child at the academy at 7:45am to depart on the bus by 8am. All kids need to wear a academy shirt or academy hat. Snacks will be provided at the Tiger Woods Center. Please download and sign the form and bring it in to the academy. Microsoft Word – Off-Site Release- Waiver.pdf
To sign up, please contact Kristen Aufdemberg at Kristen.Aufdemberg@mlb.com or Zee Aguilar at tempuya1@mlb.com
The Barons Return
The Academy Barons season begins Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 7 p.m. The following thirty-second video was produced to create interest in the California Collegiate summer baseball league. The Barons are sponsored by the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California. Please enjoy the video and come out and support the Barons this summer.
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