Why does USA Today push the "African Americans in baseball" theme

USA needs to take on the NBA and the NFL for the dropping number of white players.

They should also look into the small number of Hispanic players in The NBA and NFL.

It does not seem right that a group that makes up 13% of the population is not well represented in either league.

 

If cost is a barrier, how are all those Dominican kids playing? It's a terribly poor country.

 

Jay Z should tell kids to stop buying $40 baseball caps and spend their money on gloves instead.

 

Twenty-eight of the 30 MLB clubs have set up academies/training camps in the Dominican and actively recruit the best athletes to play professionally. The kids are signed at 16. We now have how many urban youth academies in the U.S.? Three, four?

 

Is this a serious question? I guess I will assume it is.

The Dominican system has not been set up in an elite/select/travel ball way that rewards parents for spending more money. Kids play in the street and recreationally in ways they don't here. They don't have any other sport, let alone a dozen other sports, that may attract a good athlete's attention. And there are youth academies run by major league teams.

 

That's probably what Beardpuller wanted to say. But you express it better.

NBA needs to start Hispanic basketball academies, like the RBI program for baseball.

 

Their boxers and track athletes would like a word with you.

 

Not to mention soccer players

 

I'm surprised putting 42 on every uniform for a day isn't getting things going.

 

This is the bottom line . . . unless some individual/group(s) with angelic intentions and tons of loot is willing to foster a national opportunity/education/tutelege program . . . and even with that, you might be terribly disappointed to discover just how few kids who have any baskets/foots skills give a shit.

 

The first Urban Academy is located in Compton, CA. A beautiful facility. Compton High plays some home games there. Lets check to see how Compton is faring this year at the midway point:


yesterday, they lost a league game, 22-0.

 

It's odd that Compton has played 6 or 7 games less than the other teams.