DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Under the direction of Head Coach Jonathan Hernandez, several student-athletes from the Bethune-Cookman baseball team participated in this year's "Play Ball" initiative sponsored by Major League Baseball (MLB) at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event took place Saturday, April 20, before the Wildcats hosted Mississippi Valley State for a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) doubleheader.
 
"To be able to put on an event with MLB like 'Play Ball' and partnering with USA Baseball gives us an opportunity to dive into the community and provide them an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of baseball and softball," expressed BCU Baseball Head Coach Jonathan Hernandez. "Hopefully, one thing they get from this event is to spark that love for baseball or softball. We're very fortunate to host a camp like this here at The Jack."
 
Pablo Torres, a sophomore from Orlando, was high-fiving several youngsters, while his Bethune-Cookman teammates Michael Rodriguez (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) and Jason Hodges (Park Forest, Ill.) were seen encouraging youngsters getting them excited before the day began. The Wildcats helped the youngsters learn baserunning skills, throwing, batting and pitching in a camp that lasted almost two hours.
 
"This is one of our many HBCU Play Ball events we've been doing throughout this particular spring," stated David James, MLB Vice President for Baseball & Softball Development. "Obviously, being here at Jackie Robinson Ballpark is quite a thrill, especially right after Jackie Robinson Day."
 
The "Play Ball" initiative by the MLB offers free camps for young boys and girls wanting to become more involved in the sports of baseball and softball, while promoting it to areas where the sports are underexposed and may not have as many youth programs or leagues for individual development. The camp also promotes more youth in many different communities to begin playing and furthering their skills within the sports of baseball and softball.
 
"The best part about it is trying to instill the love for the game" continued Hernandez. "We can't keep losing kids to sports like football and basketball just because it's easier for them. It's our job to make sure they continue to push forward and keep sparking the interest and love for the sports in them as youngsters."
 
Bethune-Cookman has called Jackie Robinson Ballpark home for more than 20 years, and the partnership with the Daytona Tortugas of the MiLB – an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, has blossomed tremendously over the past three years with Jim Jaworski serving as General Manager of the Tortugas.
 
"For us, as the Daytona Tortugas, the opportunity to call Jackie Robinson Ballpark our home is absolutely an honor," remarked Jaworski, now in his third year as GM of the Tortugas. "Then, of course, with our partnership with Bethune-Cookman University, we'll have easily over 100 baseball games each year here at the ballpark. It's about introducing kids to the game of baseball and softball. These events like Play Ball, the more people we can bring to the ballpark, it's a win-win all the way around."
 
For more information on "Play Ball", please click here.
 
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