VERO BEACH – Minor League Baseball’s Youth Leadership Academy for at-risk teenagers will return to the Vero Beach Sports Village this summer.
The selected 13-15 year old participants will attend the Minor League Baseball Youth Leadership Academy from July 26-31. The academy will serve to enhance and enrich the participants’ academic achievements and expose participants to life skills training, positive peer development, career opportunities, personal development and health and wellness, according to Minor League Baseball officials.
Minor League Baseball Charities will provide funding for the academy, which will also include speakers from the baseball world and beyond and field trips among its curriculum.
“Minor League Baseball is uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in the development of young people in this country,” Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner said. “Our grass roots traditions enable us to participate in positive experiences for our young fans and their families across America.”
The Albuquerque Isotopes, Brooklyn Cyclones, Iowa Cubs, Lexington Legends, New Britain Rock Cats, New Orleans Zephyrs, Omaha Storm Chasers, Savannah Sand Gnats and Tri-City ValleyCats will identify and choose up to four youths whom they feel have done something significant to deserve this opportunity and would benefit from the experience.
The impetus for the Youth Leadership Academy was a similar program executed last summer when MiLB Charities worked with the New Orleans Public Library and New Orleans City Council to provide 40 youths from that city with a weeklong, all-expense paid recreational and educational trip to the Vero Beach Sports Village.
