Coaching on MLB Network Sun 8/9 at 11:30 Central

Two weeks ago I spent the week in Los Angeles at Major League Baseball's Urban Youth Academy for the MLB/USA Baseball Breakthrough Series. The second annual Series gathers some of the top minority high school players across the United States, giving them instruction and exposure in front of top scouts and coaches. I represented the Chicago White Sox as a lead instructor. There were some heavy hitters at this camp: Frank Marcos, Scouting Director for the Major League Scouting Bureau, Jimmy Lee Soloman, Director of Baseball Operations for Major League Baseball, Darryl Miller, Urban Youth Academy Director. Also on hand coaching were Hall of Famer Frank Robinson and Former Dodger Reggie Smith.

It was a great week of instruction and games. It was a chance of a lifetime for the players. Most had never been on a plane before and the first day we were there the kids were treated to a game at Dodger Stadium and got to meet with Dusty Baker, Juan Pierre and Orlando Hudson. After evaluating the players in a pro style tryout, four lead instructors drafted their teams for the week. My staff of Cliff Brown and Dan Puente worked hard at evaluating and I wanted to draft an offensive heavy team (what would you expect from a hitting coach). There were strict pitch count limits so I knew runs would have to be scored as several pitchers would have to throw each game. This worked out for us. We battled through pool play and faced the MLB Urban Youth Academy Coaches in the Championship Game. I started Josh Burris (Recently committed to LSU) on the mound and we made a switch from batting our best player (DK Carey, recently committed to Univeristy of Miami) from the three hole to lead off, to try to be an offensive catalyst. The game came down to the last inning. Watch the MLB Network Sunday August 9th at 11:30AM to see Major League Baseball's Broadcast of the Breakthrough Championship and see some of the future big leaguers before they become stars!