Major League Baseball Academy
Encyclopedia
The Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy is a youth baseball academy located in Compton, California
providing free baseball and softball instruction to Southern California
youth, ages 8–17.
Encompassing 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) on the campus of Compton Community College
, the MLB Urban Youth Baseball Academy features state-of-the-art facilities including a show field; complete with scoreboard
, a grandstand
that seats nearly 200 fans, dugouts
and lights; as well as an auxiliary field; softball
field; youth field; and a 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²) clubhouse consisting of a weight room, locker room, and other training facilities. The complex also features batting cage
s and pitching mounds.
The Academy operates on a year-round basis under the leadership of former Anaheim Angel
Darrell Miller
. An after-school program, week-long clinics accommodating approximately 200 youth per day is held, as well as month-long clinics. Over the course of the first year of operation, the Academy expects to offer the free program to a minimum of 2,500 youth.
Plans will continue on opening the leagues second Urban Youth Academy in Hialeah, Florida
outside of Miami, also to coincide with the Florida Marlins
new MLB Stadium in Little Havana
. A third academy in Houston, Texas
opened in April 2010.
Compton, California
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
providing free baseball and softball instruction to Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
youth, ages 8–17.
Encompassing 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) on the campus of Compton Community College
Compton Community College
El Camino College Compton Center operates as a "center" of El Camino College. Under an agreement with El Camino College, Compton Center is open and offers accredited El Camino College courses to residents of Compton, Carson, Lynwood, Paramount and parts of North Long Beach...
, the MLB Urban Youth Baseball Academy features state-of-the-art facilities including a show field; complete with scoreboard
Scoreboard
A scoreboard is a large board for publicly displaying the score in a game or match. Most levels of sport from high school and above use at least one scoreboard for keeping score, measuring time, and displaying statistics. Scoreboards in the past used a mechanical clock and numeral cards to...
, a grandstand
Grandstand
A grandstand is a large and normally permanent structure for seating spectators, most often at a racetrack. This includes both auto racing and horse racing. The grandstand is in essence like a single section of a stadium, but differs from a stadium in that it does not wrap all or most of the way...
that seats nearly 200 fans, dugouts
Dugout (baseball)
In baseball, the dugout is a team's bench area and is located in foul territory between home plate and either first or third base. There are two dugouts, one for the home team and one for the visiting team. In general, the dugout is occupied by all players not prescribed to be on the field at that...
and lights; as well as an auxiliary field; softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
field; youth field; and a 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²) clubhouse consisting of a weight room, locker room, and other training facilities. The complex also features batting cage
Batting cage
A batting cage is an enclosed cage for baseball players to practice the skill of batting.It is usually made of netting or a chain-link fence and rectangular in shape. A batter stands at one end of the cage, with a pitching machine at the opposing end...
s and pitching mounds.
The Academy operates on a year-round basis under the leadership of former Anaheim Angel
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
Darrell Miller
Darrell Miller
Darrell Keith Miller is a former Major League Baseball catcher/outfielder, playing from 1984 through 1988. Before being drafted to the major leagues, he played three seasons at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California...
. An after-school program, week-long clinics accommodating approximately 200 youth per day is held, as well as month-long clinics. Over the course of the first year of operation, the Academy expects to offer the free program to a minimum of 2,500 youth.
Plans will continue on opening the leagues second Urban Youth Academy in Hialeah, Florida
Hialeah, Florida
Hialeah is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 226,419. As of 2009, the population estimate by the U. S...
outside of Miami, also to coincide with the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
new MLB Stadium in Little Havana
Little Havana
Little Havana is a neighborhood of Miami, Florida, United States. Home to many Cuban immigrant residents, Little Havana is named after Havana, the capital and largest city in Cuba. The approximate boundaries are the Miami River , SW 16th Street , SR 9/West 27th Avenue and I-95...
. A third academy in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
opened in April 2010.