MLB, the Houston Astros, state of Texas and city of Houston have combined to create a tangible resource for the community that will benefit thousands all throughout the year. During a tough economy – really, during any economic period – the best projects are ones that have true partners who can contribute both financial resources and operational expertise. That’s what it seems we have with this new academy.

The full press release can be found at http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090925&content_id=7146252&vkey=pr_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou, with excerpts below.

(Excerpt)

MLB, Houston Astros and HPARD to break ground on Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park

Sept. 25, 2009

Major League Baseball (MLB), the Houston Astros, and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) today will break ground on the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park in a special ceremony. MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Jimmie Lee Solomon, Houston Astros President of Business Operations Pam Gardner and current and former Astros players will be on-hand with State Representative Sylvester Turner, Houston Parks and Recreation Department Director Joe Turner and other local dignitaries to inaugurate the future site of the second MLB Urban Youth Academy, which will provide year-round free baseball and softball instruction to local youth ages 7-17.

…

Located in north Houston, the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will feature a show field complete with scoreboard; permanent seating for 500 fans, with space for an additional 1,800 fans; dugouts and lights; one auxiliary field; two little league/softball fields and batting cages; and 1,500 square feet of office space and other facilities. To date, MLB has established and is operating an Academy in Compton, California and earlier this year signed an agreement to build another in Hialeah, Florida. Major League Baseball and the Houston Astros contributed $600,000 to the construction of the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park, which equaled the contributions by both the City of Houston and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

…

In addition to baseball and softball instruction, boys and girls attending the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will be given the opportunity to participate in free seminars on umpiring, athletic field management, scouting and player development, sports and broadcast journalism, public relations and statistics, as well as athletic sports training. The Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will create a diversified program for students that will not only concentrate on baseball and softball, but educational opportunities as well. The Academy’s goal is to graduate 100 percent of the youth it serves.

…

(The release continues at http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090925&content_id=7146252&vkey=pr_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou)