DC Grays RBI hosts college recruiting seminar
January 15, 2021
DC Grays Baseball recently hosted a Zoom seminar for aspiring college baseball and softball players. More than 80 DC Grays RBI middle school and high school families participated in the call, which was lead by Harry Thomas, DC Grays RBI softball director and Brad Burris, Director of Player Development for DC Grays RBI.
Coppin State University Athletic Director Derek Carter discussed the college recruiting process, and Coppin State compliance director Vera Carrington discussed critical policies and procedures for prospective college athletes.
Tonja Braxton from the National Scouting Service and Van Graves from Top Prospect Network shared tips and helpful hints for how scholastic baseball and softball players can market themselves to college coaches.
"These professionals did a great job helping our players understand what it takes to become college ballplayers," said Thomas, himself the head softball coach at Washington Adventist University. Several of Thomas' DC Grays RBI softball players have gone on to play college softball - several at the Division 1 level. "These kids and their families are so dedicated, and the kids work so hard. We want to do everything we can to help them make that next step."
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DC Grays RBI sets summer schedule
July 21, 2020
The DC Grays RBI youth baseball and softball programs have started their summer 2020 seasons, with a full "return to play" program designed to protect the health and safety. These guidelines are based on best practices developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the District of Columbia Health Department. The DC Grays RBI "return to play" plans were developed in consultation with Major League Baseball, and are based on guidelines suggested by MLB and Little League International.
Parents of all players are required to sign COVID-19 waivers provided by both DC Grays Baseball and MLB. DC Grays RBI is the Washington, DC chapter of MLB Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI). It serves over 200 kids annually, most of them from Wards 6, 7 and 8.
Given the realities of the coronavirus pandemic, DC Grays RBI is working closely with local Little Leagues to provide baseball and softball opportunities for kids who were not able to play ball all spring when local Little League seasons were canceled - including Mamie Johnson Little League, Ward 8 Little League, JBAB Little League (the league that serves Anacostia-Bolling AFB) and others.
Our teams are currently back on the field for practice, and our coaching staff is finalizing game and tournament schedules for all of our programs. In most cases, games begin in August and the schedule continues into the fall.
Senior Travel Baseball (15U/18U): Coaches are working with other local RBI programs and regional travel teams to schedule a full slate of games starting in August. Games with Williamsport RBI have already been confirmed, and coaches are reaching out to RBI programs in Baltimore, PG County, Richmond, Harrisburg and others.
Junior Travel Baseball (10U/12U): These younger travel teams will be playing in several local tournaments, including the Summer Challenge All-Stars; the Essex Express Labor Day Shootout; and the USSSA Fall Brawl in Savage, MD.
Travel Softball (15U/18U/23U): Our softball teams will be playing in a number of top tournaments and showcases, including: the Grip It and Rip It Eastern Qualifiers; the Softball Nation Fast-Pitch championships; the Williamsburg Busch Gardens Classic; and the Carolina Fall Warm Up.
Ward 7 Baseball:
Our low-key "house league" for kids ages 9-12 is still being organized. Given the short time frame, Ward 7 Baseball will
focus on basic skills development and will be playing a 6-8 game schedule.
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DC Grays RBI Prepares for 2020 Season
June 16, 2020
DC Grays RBI is excited to soon be back on the field for our summer 2020 season.
The District of Columbia reopening plan (ReOpenDC) will determine when our organized team activities may begin. We anticipate that our DC Grays RBI 2020 season will commence when ReOpenDC moves to Phase 2, which allows organized athletic activities in groups of 50 or less.
Please read our Return to Play rules below, which were developed in conjunction with Major League Baseball's Youth Baseball and Softball Program, as well as Little League International. Please note also that the COVID-19 waiver must be signed for all participants.
"We are working closely with our great team of DC Grays RBI coaches to make sure that we have a great season of baseball and softball, while also doing everything we can to make sure that our players, coaches, volunteers and spectators stay safe and healthy," said Mike Barbera, president of DC Grays Baseball. "Our Return to Play rules are a critical part of that effort. We are looking forward to getting on the field soon. If we all work together and take the necessary precautions, we can make this a great summer for DC Grays RBI."
DC Grays RBI Return to Play Guidelines 2020.pdf
DC Grays RBI COVID-19 Waiver - FINAL.pdf