Young baseball players are mentored during a Royals watch party at the Urban Youth Academy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Royals are undoubtedly ready for baseball in October. Ahead of Wednesday night’s Wild Card victory over Baltimore, parties across the city are celebrating Blue October.

“Having people like that around who are on big power teams in your city certainly makes for a positive environment,” said Tony Hurla, head baseball coach at Kansas Christian College.

Hurla is one of many programs that utilize the facilities at the Urban Youth Academy in Kansas City. The National Christian College Athletic Association affiliate is in its sixth season. Its faith-based education and baseball program aligns with the Urban Youth Academy.

“The free baseball and softball program they offer here every night is something we want to get the word out about and get people to participate in,” Hurla said. “We want people to volunteer and work with these kids so they might end up at a college like ours or a bigger one.”

Jake Weller/KSHB

Kansas Christian College baseball players come from all over the world, including the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Massachusetts. The wide diversity of cultures and upbringings on its roster casts no shadow over players from the Kansas City area.

“I played in the fields before it was here,” explained Cerron Bryant, a sophomore outfielder at Kansas Christian College. “The opportunity to come here and use the facility while developing as a baseball player in Lincoln has now propelled my process forward.”

Jake Weller/KSHB

The Kansas City Urban Youth Academy prides itself on creating a positive environment while instilling work ethic values ​​in young athletes.

Jason Lewis is a lifelong Royals fan and his daughter takes free coaching courses at the Urban Youth Academy.

“It’s really important for the youth of Kansas City to have a place to go because not every child has access to the Urban Youth Academy facilities,” Lewis said. “It’s great to see the Royals investing in Kansas City.”

Jake Weller/KSHB

The free coaching provides access to expensive equipment for families who cannot afford it. Ali Bishop-Oliver was one of those athletes.

“It brings together a lot of urban kids, especially kids who don’t have opportunities or paths they want to take,” Bishop-Oliver said. “Many of the tournament teams I played on were expensive.” Sometimes a few thousand per team, per child. I couldn’t always afford to play.”

Jake Weller, KSHB

For this reason, Coach Hurla encourages his players to program at the Urban Youth Academy.

Jake Weller/KSHB

“What I want to see from children who participate in our program is that they have a positive impact on our community,” Hurla said. “The sense of pride is reflected in their lives when they leave here. “If we focus on this, I am confident that we will develop strong young men who will go out and have a positive impact on our society.”

For more information about the baseball and softball program at Urban Youth Academy, click here.

KSHB 41 reporter Ryan Gamboa covers Miami County, Kansas and Cass County, Missouri. Share your story idea with Ryan.

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