Every year, a powerful opportunity unfolds during the DREAM Series, and this time in Arizona, it’s about much more than just baseball.
This weekend, a diverse group of over 80 elite high school pitchers and catchers, primarily from African American backgrounds, have convened for the ninth annual DREAM Series at the Tempe Diablo Stadium, which serves as the Spring Training base for the Los Angeles Angels. This unique event, intentionally scheduled around Martin Luther King Jr. Day, aims to enhance the diversity of talent within the realm of minority athletes, particularly in the positions of pitcher and catcher.
Before they even stepped onto the field, these young athletes devoted their Saturday morning to a meaningful cause. They filled duffel bags with essential items for children supported by The Foster Love Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding foster children and their families. For these players, many of whom are close in age to the children they were helping, this was a chance to learn not only about the important mission of the organization but also to connect with one another through the shared experience of decorating bags.
"We can’t draw," quipped Devyn Downs, an 18-year-old right-handed pitcher from Sterlington, Louisiana, who has already committed to play at LSU. Downs is making waves with a fastball that clocked in at an impressive 91 mph during the Perfect Game 16U 2024 National Elite Championship.
This collaboration with Foster Love is part of MLB Together, a new initiative launched by Major League Baseball, which aims to commit 250,000 volunteer hours by 2026 to support various charitable organizations and local communities across the nation. In celebration of America's 250th anniversary, MLB Together brings together efforts from the Commissioner’s Office, all 30 MLB teams, 120 Minor League clubs, players at every level, and charitable partners to give back through community service.
The DREAM Series exemplifies this mission. The weekend is dedicated not only to philanthropy but also to engaging discussions aimed at equipping athletes for success at both collegiate and professional levels. Additionally, the participants get the invaluable experience of receiving advanced training on the field at Tempe Diablo Stadium, just weeks ahead of Spring Training, guided by former Major and Minor league players, coaches, and managers.
Ultimately, this program offers something incredibly vital: opportunity. Jerry Manuel, a former manager for the Mets and White Sox and now a consultant for MLB baseball and softball development, emphasized this point. "We want to foster an environment where players see others who look like them engaged in the game," he remarked after practice on Saturday. "It’s about sparking motivation and interest in the sport and its culture, which is our main goal. Many times, these kids find themselves as the only minority player on their teams, which can be isolating."
Antonio Grissom, head coach of the baseball team at Morehouse College, a historically black college and university (HBCU), echoed Manuel's sentiments, stressing that access to opportunities can be especially challenging for African American youth. "The cost of participating in travel baseball has drastically changed the landscape for these kids in our community," Grissom noted while coaching at the DREAM Series. "Events like this provide a platform for our young athletes to shine, which is crucial."
Among the alumni of the DREAM Series are standout players such as Michael Harris II, the 2022 National League Rookie of the Year with the Braves, and other notable athletes like Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker, Angels shortstop Christian Moore, Twins pitchers Taj Bradley and Simeon Woods Richardson, along with Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker.
