On Monday, Aug. 18, UMPS CARE Charities, a nonprofit founded by Major League Baseball umpires, launched its six-week official leadership program at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy in West Dallas.
The free program, held every Monday through Sept. 29, is designed to train young athletes in the fundamentals of umpiring baseball and softball games, both on the field and behind the plate.
Participants will gain hands-on experience and learn the rules, mechanics and professionalism expected of certified umpires.
Athletes who successfully complete the course will earn official certification, qualifying them to begin umpiring games in their local communities. After certification, graduates will be connected with local umpire assignors to begin working youth baseball and softball games in their respective communities.
In addition, UMPS CARE has partnered with Ump Attire and Officials Depot to provide each participant with a full set of umpiring gear for personal use after completing the program, helping to eliminate financial barriers to entry into the umpiring profession.
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Texas Rangers Youth Academy athlete Sebastian Arellano awarded 2025 RBI for RBI Scholarship
- What it is: Major League Baseball and the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program on Wednesday announced that Texas Rangers Youth Academy athlete Sebastian Arellano was selected as one of 12 Nike RBI baseball and softball players to receive a “RBI for RBI” Scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year
- Why it Matters: Through this program, Arellano, an incoming freshman at Texas State University, will be awarded with a $5,000 scholarship for up to three years or until he has earned a training certificate, associate degree or bachelor's degree in any field he chooses to pursue.
- Go Deeper: The 18-year-old Arellano graduated this spring from Bishop Dunne Catholic High School in Dallas and has been involved in baseball programming at the Rangers Youth Academy since 2022.
Multiple Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes receive Young Family Scholarships
- What it is: Prior to the Texas Rangers’ game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Field on Aug. 6, Texas Rangers Executive Vice President & General Manager, Chris Young, and his wife, Liz, presented college scholarships to a pair of athletes from the Texas Rangers Youth Academy as part of the Young Family Scholarships program.
- Why it Matters: The recipients, Gregory Lawrence Jr. and Ali Williams, will be incoming freshmen at Western Oklahoma State College and Bethune-Cookman University, respectively, this fall. The $20,000 in scholarship funds they were each awarded will go towards furthering their collegiate educations both this year and beyond.
- Go Deeper: Since its inception in 2023, the Young Family Scholarships program has contributed over $100,000 in scholarship funds to Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes.
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.