新奥尔良，路易斯安那州. – The 新奥尔良 MLB Youth Academy, operated by Major League Baseball, and 路易斯安那e世博esball大学(XULA), a Historically Black 大学 & 新奥尔良大学(HBCU), have partnered to help launch the university’s 2021 baseball and 垒球 seasons in the National Association of Intercollegiate 体育运动 (NAIA). This season marks the first-time baseball will be offered at Xavier since 1960, and the first-ever 垒球 program in the school’s history.

作为协议的一部分, both programs will receive full access for games and practices to the facilities at the 新奥尔良 MLB Youth Academy, 包括韦斯利巴罗体育场, 人造草皮垒球场, indoor/outdoor bullpens and batting cages, and the 200-square-foot climate-controlled press box. The men’s baseball team began their season against Rust 大学 on Friday, February 19^th她在密西西比州的霍利斯普林斯(Holly Springs)工作., with 垒球’s schedule resuming on Sunday, February 21^st against Spring Hill 大学, Mobile, Ala. The teams played their first home games at the 新奥尔良 MLB Youth Academy on Tuesday, February 23^rd (baseball) and will also play Saturday, February 27^th 分别(垒球). The baseball team will also feature 10 alums of the 新奥尔良 MLB Youth Academy suiting up for the Gold.

“路易斯安那e世博esball大学 is grateful for this partnership with Major League Baseball and the 新奥尔良 MLB Youth Academy to provide our teams full access to Wesley Barrow Stadium,杰森·霍恩说。, Assistant Vice President for student affairs and Director of athletics & recreation at 路易斯安那e世博esball大学. “This facility access is critical and beneficial to Xavier’s relaunch of baseball and our debut 垒球 season. Like the 新奥尔良 MLB Youth Academy, Xavier is committed to increased participation in baseball and 垒球.”       

Prior to the suspension of all sports programs at Xavier in 1960, the baseball program featured notable players, including RHP Earl McCree who became a member of the 堪萨斯城 Monarchs in the Negro American League – his manager and teammate was Negro Leagues Legend Buck O'Neil.

自2012年开业以来, our Youth Academy in 新奥尔良 has been a beacon for baseball and 垒球 for the city and throughout Southern Louisiana,托尼·里根说, Chief Baseball Development Officer at Major League Baseball. “Our partnership with XULA is a signal of progress and indicative of how the sports have been rejuvenated in a big way within this region. The 新奥尔良 MLB Youth Academy is proud to be the home of Xavier University baseball and 垒球, 我们祝愿他们这个赛季一切顺利.”

Xavier’s athletic teams have a rich tradition, winning nearly 150 team championships at regional, conference and district levels and producing many All- American athletes.

The 新奥尔良 MLB Youth Academy is part of a network of Youth Academies located throughout the U.S. 在波多黎各.  All facilities provide similar baseball, 垒球, educational and sports-related vocational programming. There are 11 operational MLB Youth Academies across the United States and Puerto Rico, 包括布朗克斯(纽约州).Y.), 芝加哥, 辛辛那提, 康普顿, 达拉斯, 古拉博(波多黎各), 休斯顿, 堪萨斯城, 新奥尔良, 费城, 和华盛顿, D.C.

关于 the 新奥尔良 MLB Youth Academy

The 新奥尔良 MLB Youth Academy provides free or low-cost baseball and 垒球 instruction as well as programming to youth from 新奥尔良 and from throughout Southern Louisiana. 项目 like Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) and development experiences – such as the Breakthrough Series, 梦想系列, Hank Aaron Invitational and Elite Development Invitational – are all available to Academy members. The Youth Academy also provides vocational opportunities for its youth participants, notably a Sports Law program with Tulane University as well as a robust Jr. 广播节目. The Academy has hosted a number of special events over the years, including the 安德烈·道森经典, 玩球 事件, 球场上,打 & 运行 competitions, and the annual SWAC Baseball Tournament.