Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Double Duty Classic Tryout in St. Louis in April

The Double Duty classic is a all star game comprised of some of the best high school minority players accross the country in celebration of the old Negro League All Star Game. The Negro League All Star Game was always held in Chicago at Comiskey Park. The Double Duty Classic, named after Negro League legend, Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe, was created in 2008 by White Sox National Crosschecker Nathan Durst. In 2008 I helped administrate the game, last year I coached and ran the workout day for the college coaches the day before the game, and this year too, I will coach the game.

The game truly replicates the feel of the old Negro League All Star game. At U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox staff (Led by Dan Puente and Christine O'Reilly) goes all out to integrate the Negro Leagues with modern day baseball. The players wear the old flannel Negro League uniforms, minority leaders like Jesse Jackson are on hand, former Negro League all stars are in attendance, Major League Hall of Famer Frank Robinson has been in attendance. Major League Baseball personell, ESPN, and scouts from colleges and pro teams all are at the game. Entertainment is provided by local city high school bands and most inner city little leagues and schools come to the game.

On April 8 and 9 I will run the Double Duty Tryout for Missouri in St. Louis. It will be my third year doing so and some of our best talent has come out of this area. I'm looking forward to finding the next era of "stars" to play at U.S. Cel!

See below for a great video piece on the game:

http://www.312media.com/doubledutyclassic

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