Imani ‘Sluggers’ rise beyond wins and losses
http://tri-statedefenderonline.com/articlelive/articles/3902/1/Imani-Sluggers-rise-beyond-wins-and-losses/Page1.html
By Corey Green
Published on 07/2/2009
I got an email recently from the coach of a youth baseball team, the Imani Sluggers. It seems that the Sluggers – both boys and girls – had completed a season to remember. In 16 games they did not record a single win.
I got an email recently from the coach of a youth baseball team, the Imani Sluggers. It seems that the Sluggers – both boys and girls – had completed a season to remember. In 16 games they did not record a single win.
“If there were ever a real life ‘Bad News Bears’ in our community, it was the Imani Sluggers,” wrote coach Fredrick Brown, conjuring up the movie about a collection of misfit kids trying to “learn to play the game of baseball from a grumpy ex-ball player who wasn’t that interested in being there in the first place.”
And while Brown is neither grumpy nor disinterested, his reference to the silver screen Bears team was a good point of reference for understanding how a winless youth baseball team could count such a season a success.
Sponsored by the Greater Imani Church and Christian Center, the Imani Sluggers – all 15 of them – spent the season learning leadership skills, how to come together to get things accomplished, and the value of always putting forth the best effort, no matter what.
Competing in the highly competitive, 11 to 12-year-old, Bartlett Recreational League, the Sluggers were the only team with girls and boys ages ranging from 8 to 12-years-old. Some of the kids could have been playing Tee ball or coach pitch, but instead they embraced the challenge of live pitching from much bigger kids and from coaches.
Some of the Imani Sluggers had never watched baseball on television, let alone played the game.
“At first I was nervous being one of the only girls on the team and playing baseball, a game that was new to me,” said Kierstyn Brent, who played left field. “After a while it became relaxed because we were having fun and it felt like a family atmosphere. I was taught to always put my best effort up.”
What they lacked in skills, the Sluggers made up for with boundless enthusiasm, effort and a drive to succeed.
“Regardless to what situation we found ourselves in we never got sad, and that kept me happy,” said Akin Bruce, who looks forward to playing baseball in high school. “We continued to believe. Even if you don’t win, learning the game will eventually lead to wins. If you think you can, you can.”
During mid-season, after playing two games earlier in the week, the Sluggers headed to Olive Branch to play in a tournament.
“We brought the stadium to their feet,” said Coach Brown. “We almost beat the team that won the entire tournament. We gave our fans something to really cheer about.”
At that point, Brown and the Sluggers stopped counting wins and losses the conventional way. Every close game became a moral victory. A 0-16 season was measured as 5 and 11.
Talking to the kids after the games they always stayed up beat and felt good about the effort they put forward,” said Brown.
The season lit a fire in each of the Sluggers.
“A lot of youth are into basketball and football, but this is a good reintroduction to the game of baseball,” said Renee Davis, mother of 11-year-old Slugger Justin White.
“I’m excited. It’s a new passion for him now. I find him online searching for different baseball camps. It’s been a great influence.”
Coach Fred Robinson was on a mission to return baseball to premier status among African Americans when he started the team two years ago.
“Coach Robinson gave the team stats on how African Americans are not in Major League Baseball,” said Marlon Johnson, father of third baseman Markeem Johnson. “It inspired both the kids and parents.”
According to The Sports Journal, African Americans make up 4.5 percent of NCAA baseball rosters, 42 percent of basketball and 32 percent of football. Thirty years ago, African American players accounted for 27 percent of Major League Baseball. Today that figure is down to 8.5 per cent.
With only one player leaving the program after this season, the Sluggers already are looking toward next year. Team organizers are considering two different teams – age groups 11-12 and 9-10. The team wants to get more churches to start up teams.
“The kids are elated about playing baseball now,” Coach Brown said. “I’m excited about what we can do with the team, these kids, and the community. We look forward to see kids move on and continue to play the game. Once they’re too old to play with us, we want them to go play high school ball, then play college baseball. I honestly feel that some kids are going to come back 15 years from now and say, ‘Coach. I got drafted.’”
Talik Mayweather, 13, the only Slugger who will not be with the team next season, is looking toward playing high school baseball.
“This isn’t it for me,” said Mayweather. “I will continue to play baseball.”
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I got an email recently from the coach of a youth baseball team, the Imani Sluggers. It seems that the Sluggers – both boys and girls – had completed a season to remember. In 16 games they did not record a single win.
Imani ‘Sluggers’ rise beyond wins and losses
| |
| The Imani Sluggers held an awards event at AutoZone Park last Friday (June 26) and then found good seats to watch the Redbirds game. (Photos by Earl Stanback) |
I got an email recently from the coach of a youth baseball team, the Imani Sluggers. It seems that the Sluggers – both boys and girls – had completed a season to remember. In 16 games they did not record a single win.
“If there were ever a real life ‘Bad News Bears’ in our community, it was the Imani Sluggers,” wrote coach Fredrick Brown, conjuring up the movie about a collection of misfit kids trying to “learn to play the game of baseball from a grumpy ex-ball player who wasn’t that interested in being there in the first place.”
 |
| Talik Mayweather accepts congratulations after accepting a varsity jacket that goes to Imani Sluggers players who leave the youth baseball team because of age. He is the first to receive a jacket since the team was formed two years ago. |
Sponsored by the Greater Imani Church and Christian Center, the Imani Sluggers – all 15 of them – spent the season learning leadership skills, how to come together to get things accomplished, and the value of always putting forth the best effort, no matter what.
Competing in the highly competitive, 11 to 12-year-old, Bartlett Recreational League, the Sluggers were the only team with girls and boys ages ranging from 8 to 12-years-old. Some of the kids could have been playing Tee ball or coach pitch, but instead they embraced the challenge of live pitching from much bigger kids and from coaches.
Some of the Imani Sluggers had never watched baseball on television, let alone played the game.
“At first I was nervous being one of the only girls on the team and playing baseball, a game that was new to me,” said Kierstyn Brent, who played left field. “After a while it became relaxed because we were having fun and it felt like a family atmosphere. I was taught to always put my best effort up.”
What they lacked in skills, the Sluggers made up for with boundless enthusiasm, effort and a drive to succeed.
“Regardless to what situation we found ourselves in we never got sad, and that kept me happy,” said Akin Bruce, who looks forward to playing baseball in high school. “We continued to believe. Even if you don’t win, learning the game will eventually lead to wins. If you think you can, you can.”
During mid-season, after playing two games earlier in the week, the Sluggers headed to Olive Branch to play in a tournament.
“We brought the stadium to their feet,” said Coach Brown. “We almost beat the team that won the entire tournament. We gave our fans something to really cheer about.”
At that point, Brown and the Sluggers stopped counting wins and losses the conventional way. Every close game became a moral victory. A 0-16 season was measured as 5 and 11.
Talking to the kids after the games they always stayed up beat and felt good about the effort they put forward,” said Brown.
The season lit a fire in each of the Sluggers.
“A lot of youth are into basketball and football, but this is a good reintroduction to the game of baseball,” said Renee Davis, mother of 11-year-old Slugger Justin White.
“I’m excited. It’s a new passion for him now. I find him online searching for different baseball camps. It’s been a great influence.”
Coach Fred Robinson was on a mission to return baseball to premier status among African Americans when he started the team two years ago.
“Coach Robinson gave the team stats on how African Americans are not in Major League Baseball,” said Marlon Johnson, father of third baseman Markeem Johnson. “It inspired both the kids and parents.”
According to The Sports Journal, African Americans make up 4.5 percent of NCAA baseball rosters, 42 percent of basketball and 32 percent of football. Thirty years ago, African American players accounted for 27 percent of Major League Baseball. Today that figure is down to 8.5 per cent.
With only one player leaving the program after this season, the Sluggers already are looking toward next year. Team organizers are considering two different teams – age groups 11-12 and 9-10. The team wants to get more churches to start up teams.
“The kids are elated about playing baseball now,” Coach Brown said. “I’m excited about what we can do with the team, these kids, and the community. We look forward to see kids move on and continue to play the game. Once they’re too old to play with us, we want them to go play high school ball, then play college baseball. I honestly feel that some kids are going to come back 15 years from now and say, ‘Coach. I got drafted.’”
Talik Mayweather, 13, the only Slugger who will not be with the team next season, is looking toward playing high school baseball.
“This isn’t it for me,” said Mayweather. “I will continue to play baseball.”