This past weekend was incredible experience for the SLO Rattlers players and staff that were fortunate to make the trip to the Urban Baseball Academy based out of Compton Community College in Compton, CA.
The Urban Baseball Academy is in its 2nd year of existence. It is a Major League Baseball sponsored program established to promote baseball among inner-city youths. The UBA is also sponsored by the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
The complex is amazing. One would never know you were in Compton at all. There are multiple playing fields, locker rooms, and plenty of player and fan amenities. It was encouraging to see all of the various activities occurring in conjunction with the California Collegiate League series. There were Little League games taking place in one section of the complex. There were also games taking place on the full-sized practice field directly behind the main field with older members of the community. It was a true pleasure as a baseball fan to observe all of the players of all age levels and their family and friends enjoying the fine game of baseball.
As for the contests between the Rattlers and the Urban Academy Barons, all 3 games were tightly contested and well played. The Rattlers were able to take the first two games of the series,while the Barons were able to take Game Three.
Game One saw former Major Leaguer Al Downing throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch. Al Downing is most known for allowing Hank Aaron's record breaking 715th Home Run. Al Downing played 17 seasons in the Majors. He broke into the Big Leagues in 1961 with the New York Yankees, the same storied season that saw Roger Maris break Babe Ruth's single season Home Run record. He played on the Yankees, the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, and retired with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 1964 he led the league in strikeouts with 217. He was a broadcaster with the Dodgers through 2005.
Mr. Downing was extremely accessible, and made himself available to players and fans prior to the game. He also spent approximately 3 innings on air with the Voice of the Rattlers Tom Barket during the Rattlers broadcast on ESPN Radio 1280AM. It was a true honor to listen to his stories and viewpoints on the great game of baseball. I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to have witnessed his time on air first hand, and am personally grateful to have had a one on one conversation with someone of his stature in the world of baseball. We presented Mr. Downing with a SLO Rattlers t-shirt and cap, and in return he was gracious enough to sign some baseballs for us, as well as signing our scorebook for Game One. I wish to thank Mr, Downing on behalf of myself, the SLO Rattlers, and the CCL for taking time out of his life to brighten ours.
Game Two of the series was the first part of a Doubleheader on Sunday. If Al Downing wasn't a big enough name for the weekend, the Urban Academy was able to get Hall of Famer Frank Robinson to throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch. Frank Robinson played 21 years in the Majors, and is the only player to ever win League MVP honors in both the American and National Leagues, having won the award in 1961 with the Cincinatti Reds, and in 1966 with the Baltimore Orioles. He was part of two World Series Championship teams, 1966 and 1970 with the Baltimore Orioles. Mr. Robinson was also the first black manager in the Major Leagues, achieving that accomplishment in 1975 when he was a player-manager. Mr. Robinson was elected into the MLB Hall of Fame in 1982. He played for 5 teams in his playing career, the Cincinatti Reds, the Baltimore Orioles, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the California Angels, and the Cleveland Indians. He managed 4 teams, the Indians, the San Francisco Giants, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals, garnering Manager of the Year honors in 1989 with the Baltimore Orioles. Mr. Robinson took time prior to the game to visit with each dugout, talking to the players of each team. We were also fortunate enough to have Mr. Robinson sit in on the ESPN Radio broadcast for the First Inning of the game. I personally would like to thank Mr. Robinson for signing the Rattlers scorebook for that game, and I hope he enjoys the Rattlers t-shirt presented to him.
Both gentlemen shared great stories from the lores of baseball, as well as giving little pearls of wisdom that any young player or fan of baseball would be well advised to heed and follow. These men were greats in a great time of baseball, and it speaks highly of their character and their dedication to the world of baseball at all levels to take the time out of their busy lives to spend the afternoon with those in attendance at the Urban Academy.
The Urban Academy is the prototype for other inner cities around the country, and they are doing a superb job of building a solid foundation for years to come in Compton. I wish them the best of luck in their future activities. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been able to not only be a visitor, but to be welcomed inside their press booth to be witness to not only great Collegiate Baseball, but the inner workings of their organization. Meeting Mr. Downing and Mr. Robinson are experiences I will never forget.
