The Miami Marlins Foundation and the City of Hialeah celebrated the opening of Marlins Youth Academy programming this Friday at Babcock Park, with dozens of children in attendance, who will be part of a satellite network for baseball and softball in Monroe, Miami-Dade. Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
Nearly 14,000 kids are signed up for Marlins youth baseball and softball programming throughout South Florida. This new addition extends the Marlins’ RBI initiative to Hialeah, an area that some call the birthplace of baseball in South Florida.
“It’s a dream to give opportunities to kids who aren’t on traveling teams,” said Livan Hernandez, who will lead training sessions and is one of the most important people to wear a Marlins uniform. “It’s a great program for people who are playing recreational baseball and we’re only going to get better over the next few years.”
Local children in the community will have access to baseball and softball development programs and educational resources through the Marlins Youth Academy at Babcock Park.
The Marlins Youth Academy will add programming to existing educational programs along with services provided by the City of Hialeah Parks and Recreation Department that give children a place to learn and play baseball and softball.
“We are proud that the City of Hialeah and Mayor Esteban Bovo allow us to share this initiative,” said Carolyn O’Connor, Marlins President of Business Operations. “The mayor has a vision for kids to come and learn baseball, socialize at the park with their friends, and play baseball. We support that idea. We want to see stars like Hialeah’s son Charlie Hough .And are these kids fans of the Marlins.
The City of Hialeah and the Miami Marlins are committed to making Babcock Park the home of baseball and softball for children throughout South Florida.
Hernandez said, “Hialeah has produced great players like Gio Gonzalez, Alex Fernandez and others who have made a name for themselves in baseball and the Major Leagues.” “With this academy we try to take baseball to another level, so that boys can leave high school and make a university. That they are professionals is secondary. You have to think about your studies, about the university ”
