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ESPN2 Spotlights Local Inner-city Baseball Organization
Compton’s MLB Youth Academy serves as host for RBI Championships

By Gene C. Johnson Jr.
Bulletin Staff Writer

Compton’s Major League Baseball Youth Academy served as the backdrop of ESPN2’s “The Faces of RBI,” a one-hour special about the organization Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities; the special aired on Sept. 2.

Los Angeles Dodger first baseman James Loney, a Houston RBI participant in 1999, hosted and narrated the special.

Since its establishment in 1989, the RBI program has provided a path for many players to enter college and professional baseball. Major League clubs have drafted more than 180 RBI participants during the program’s 19-year history, said MLB spokesperson Silvia Alvarez.

RBI programs have launched in more than 200 cities worldwide, and annually provide as many as 100,000 boys and girls the opportunity to play baseball and softball.

“When I was growing up in the Houston area, I got a chance to participate in the RBI program, Loney said. “I’ve got to tell you, it played a huge role in who I am today.”

The one-hour special includes the stories of a player who conquered dyslexia and two brothers who have not seen each other in four years.

The telecast also spotlights one of the RBI program’s strongest supporters, Tim Flynn, CEO and chairman of KPMG, a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax and advisory services.

The Youth Academy also served as the location for RBI’s Girl Softball Championship Title game Aug. 17, where the Dominican Republic’s Santa Domingo team defeated the Hawaii’s Hilo team 3-1.

It was the second consecutive championship game appearance for Santo Domingo, who lost to Atlanta in the 2007 title game.

As winner of the girl’s softball title, the RBI program awarded Santo Domingo the Dolly Vardens trophy, named after an all-African-American women’s team formed in Philadelphia in 1867.

The girl’s softball championship concluded the 16th Annual RBI World Series presented by KPMG.

The event, held at venues throughout the Los Angeles area including Compton, began Aug. 6 and concluded Aug. 17.

The 24 teams playing in the RBI World Series were divided into three divisions: Junior Boys (13-15 years old); Senior Boys (16-18 years old); and Girls Softball.

The returning champions in each division—Detroit (Junior Boys). Philadelphia (Senior Boys) and Atlanta (Girls Softball)—defended their titles against RBI teams from Southern California and the winners of RBI’s six regional tournaments.

The baseball championships were held Aug. 11 at Angel Stadium.

Los Angeles defeated Detroit 5-2 at the championship game held at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

As the winner of the Senior Boys title, Los Angeles was awarded the Larry Doby Trophy, which is named after the first African American to play in the American League.

Doby, a member of baseball’s Hall of Fame, played for the Cleveland Indians during the 1940s and 1950s.

Los Angeles starting pitcher Jose Alvarez was named the Senior Boys Championship Game’s Most Valuable Player.

The Los Angeles team is under the guidance of Los Angeles RBI— the inaugural RBI program founded by John Young in 1989. The Senior Boys title is the seventh for the Los Angeles team and their fifth in the last seven years.

Detroit defeated Tampa 7-3 to win the Junior Boys Championship, also held at Angel Stadium. The victory marks the third consecutive RBI World Series Championship for the Detroit RBI Junior Boys. Detroit becomes the first boy’s team to win three consecutive RBI titles.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I congratulate every player and coach who has reached the Series,” said Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner of Baseball. “RBI is a great example of Major League Baseball’s commitment to reaching out to and providing boys and girls the opportunity to play the game and improve their lives.