Academy Notebook: Texas Rangers Youth Academy celebrates Black History Month with All-Star showcase
Texas Rangers Youth Academy hosts inaugural Black History Month All-Star Game presented by NIKE
The Texas Rangers Youth Academy last Sunday at Globe Life Field hosted its first-ever Black History Month All-Star Game presented by NIKE. The five-inning exhibition contest featured two teams comprised primarily of Academy athletes from diverse backgrounds showcasing their skills on a Major League diamond for the first time.
Among the standout performers was Duncanville High School’s Braylon Hubbard, who led off the bottom half of the opening frame for the ‘Rangers’ squad with a booming triple to right-center field. The Class of 2028 infielder came around to score later in the inning, accounting for what would be his team’s lone scoring output of the afternoon.
With the ‘Texas’ All-Stars trailing, 1-0, in the top of the fourth, South Oak Cliff High School senior Isaac Casas contributed to a five-run rally by roping a two-run double into the gap in left-center. Jalen McLin, a junior at Emerson High School in McKinney, chipped in with a pair of hits and two RBI.
Quick Hits
Three former Academy athletes set to appear in college baseball games at Globe Life Field
- College Party: Globe Life Field is set to play host to several college baseball games from mid-February to early March as part of the Shriners Children’s College Showdown (Feb. 14-16) and Amegy Bank College Baseball Series presented by Kubota (Feb. 21-March 2). Tickets to both events can be purchased here.
- Guess Who’s Back: Over that span, three teams which currently roster Texas Rangers Youth Academy alumni are slated to appear at the ballpark: Louisiana State University (infielder David Hogg II), University of Texas (right-handed pitcher Jason Flores) and University of Texas at Arlington (right-handed pitcher Austin Phillips). All three players are entering their freshman seasons at their respective schools and regularly participated in Academy programing prior to signing with collegiate programs.
- Mark Your Calendars: Flores and the Texas Longhorns are currently scheduled to play three night games in Arlington as part of the Shriners Children’s College Showdown from Feb. 14-16. Phillips’ UT Arlington Mavericks will play a single game against the University of Oklahoma on Feb. 19 (beg. 7 p.m. CT), while Hogg and the LSU Tigers will face Dallas Baptist University on Feb. 26 (beg. 7 p.m. CT).
Major League Baseball taps Texas Rangers Youth Academy as host site for umpire camp
What It Is: Major League Baseball yesterday announced the five host sites for a slate of free, one-day Umpire Camps that will be held across the country in 2025. The Texas Rangers Youth Academy in West Dallas was among the selected locations and will host its camp May 17.
Why It Matters: The MLB Umpire Camps serve as the main pathway for candidates to pursue professional umpiring careers and are celebrating their 20th year of placing umpires into professional baseball. These camps have transformed the training of potential umpires by providing quality and consistent training at no cost to participants, with the long-term goals of expanding and diversifying the pool of interested candidates.
Go Deeper: Select attendees will be invited to attend MLB’s Umpire Prospect Development Camp, a four-week experience in January 2026 that serves as a gateway into umpiring careers through Minor League Baseball and into Major League Baseball. Current Major League umpires Adam Beck, Nestor Ceja, Ramon De Jesus, Malachi Moore, Edwin Moscoso and Carlos Torres all attended MLB Umpire Camps prior to reaching the Majors.
Education & Buckner International Programming
The Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy goes beyond baseball and softball programming to benefit our community. With help from our partner Bucker International, the Academy hosts free education and enrichment courses for athletes and their families throughout the year. Register here for all Youth Academy classes.