The Grambling State University Tiger baseball team will travel to California to compete in the MLB Urban Invitational February 25-27.The invitational, which will take place in Compton, Calif., was set up by Major League Baseball’s first Urban Youth Academy.
The tourney will host three Historically BlackColleges and Universities for the first time in its four-year history.
The colleges participating are Southern University, Bethune-Cookman, Grambling State, and University of California at Irvine.
According to MLB.com, this is more than just baseball.
“On Saturday, Day 2, there will be a Battle of the Bands, followed by a college fair that about 20 schools have already confirmed attending.
“The key is for the youth of the inner-city to recognize opportunities in baseball.
“Each team will play three games in the tournament, with the UYA and the campus of California Irvine serving as venues.”
Senior southpaw pitcher, Adrian Turner does not want the team to be deterred by the big stage and bright lights.
“We want to show that even though we are a small school, we can hang with the big boys,” Turner stated.
Jubilation spread to California, where alums there are as ecstatic as current players.
Former SGA president & Carson, California native, Whitney Moore-White, is optimistic at what this will do for HBCU sports everywhere.
“Hopefully, it’ll show the citizens of the community that HBCU athletic programs are still relevant,” White stated.
The Tigers open the season February 18th against Nicholls State at Louisiana Tech. All are invited to attend.
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Urban Invitational schedule
The Grambling State University baseball team will play in the Urban Invitational in Compton, Calif. The game play lineup is as follows:
Date Opponent Location Time
Feb. 25
Southern v. UC Irvine UC Irvine 6:30 p.m.
B-Cookman v. Grambling UYA 6:00 p.m.
Feb. 26
UC Irvine v. B-Cookman* UYA 1 p.m.
Grambling v. Southern* UYA 5 p.m.
Feb. 27
Grambling v. UC Irvine UC Irvine 1 p.m.
Southern v. B-C UYA 1 p.m.
* broadcast on MLB Network