WHY INNER CITY YOUTH?

The Inner- City-Youth Program is a comprehensive hands-on approach that will allow every major
league baseball organization to have direct involvement and impact on African American inner-city youth.

 

Who?

Mississippi Braves and visiting MiLB Teams.

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What?

MiLB teams will assist with providing the youth in Jackson and Metro areas , with hands
on teaching, training, educating and mentoring.

Where?

Smith-Wills Stadium which is less than a 10-minute drive from Trustmark Park
(Mississippi Braves). Visiting team(s) will stay at the on-site hotel, making for ease of access by
visiting players.

When?

During minor league baseball season.

Why? 

2 new MiLB stadiums built in Mississippi over a 10-year time period (2005, 2015) for
Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers MiLB teams. 7 High Schools making up Jackson Public
School District DO NOT have an on-campus baseball field. Despite 1986 effort of R.B.I. to
increase number of blacks playing the game, the numbers continue to decline from 18% then to 8% now.

 

Impact! 

This will show unity and solidarity from MLB and its initiatives to be more inclusive with
a “hands-on” approach to African-Americans in and around the game and bridge the gap in
communities by utilizing baseball as a healing tool to build bridges and bring people together.
The demographic make-up of Jackson presents no better opportunity for MLB / MiLB to reach a
market of under-privileged yet over-deserving youth that starve for direction, inclusion and
acceptance in every aspect of the American-Dream and in America’s Game.

 

*If you or your school / team would like to participate in the ICY camp, please fill out the information box
below: