Flying Squirrels, MiLB using Jackie Robinson’s legacy for action with ‘The Nine’ | Professional Sports

It was a recognition of Jackie Robinson Working day, with this yr of the once-a-year celebration a particular a single in certain — the 75th anniversary of Robinson’s significant league debut, when he turned the initially Black MLB participant in the present day period.

But also, throughout the diamond — between 1st and second foundation — the No. 9 was drawn in the infield dust, way too. That number, though not as historically unique as Robinson’s 42, which has been retired across the majors considering the fact that 1997, carries twin which means.

9 was the range that Robinson wore in his lone minimal league time in 1946 with the Triple-A Montreal Royals, before he created his MLB debut on April 15, 1947. And it was also the inspiration for the title of a new MiLB initiative — released this yr and dubbed “The Nine.” It’s a nationwide platform for outreach to the Black group around baseball.

According to MiLB, The 9 is “designed to honor and rejoice the historic impression several Black baseball pioneers built on the sport, present new chances for youth baseball and softball participation, further more diversify the business enterprise of baseball and embrace tens of millions of passionate enthusiasts all over MiLB’s 120 communities nationwide.”

And the Flying Squirrels were chosen as one of MiLB’s five “team captains” for the initiative, because of the franchise’s background of making an attempt to boost variety in the sport and since of the metropolis of Richmond itself, and the Traveling Squirrels’ want to be aspect of adjust in the metropolis.

And, for the franchise, the two present and blossoming initiatives will touch its involvement with the mission of The Nine.

“It’s not any singular matter that we’re doing,” explained Todd “Parney” Parnell, the Flying Squirrels’ chief operation officer, on Friday afternoon. “The 9 is going to turn out to be element of who we are on an day-to-day foundation.”

The 9 program was announced Feb. 1, but it’s anything Parnell claimed that Kurt Hunzeker, MLB’s vice president for insignificant league business enterprise functions, has worked on for a although.

Black representation in MLB has declined sharply in excess of the earlier 30 a long time. Black gamers manufactured up a high of 18.7% of the league in 1981, in accordance to the Culture for American Baseball Exploration. But, these days, that quantity is just 7.2%, according to MLB.com.

The February announcement marked a dawning of the application, and groups all around the activity are beginning to establish their respective initiatives.

In Richmond, just one initiative linked to The 9 will tie into Traveling Squirrels Charities. The Flying Squirrels have worked with the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League for the duration of their 13 many years in the metropolis — MJBL was introduced in 1966 immediately after founder Dr. William M.T. Forrester’s son wasn’t authorized to enjoy in many all white Very little League applications. It is considered one particular of the oldest Black-owned internal-metropolis youth baseball leagues in the state.

But now, MJBL is doing the job with the Richmond Law enforcement Athletic League to acquire committed baseball leagues within just community housing communities in the town. And money elevated through the Flying Squirrels Charities’ golf event on May possibly 9 will be employed to get jerseys for the league.

“I consider above time, that’s the place we’ll see the most effect with The Nine,” Parnell reported, of a league like the 1 that the MJBL and PAL are organizing.

Also, in partnership with VCU’s Heart for Activity Leadership, the Flying Squirrels held a made use of glove drive for the MJBL on Friday.

Elsewhere, although not right linked to The 9 — but associated to the sort of get the job done the method will attempt to foster across the region — is the Flying Squirrels’ partnerships with HBCUs in the space. The club started an government coaching program with Virginia Condition College previous year, which is aimed to groom chosen college students to come to be full-time club employees. Traveling Squirrels team hospitality manager Carnie Bragg arrived from the application.

“I believe we’re acknowledged as one particular of the franchises, one particular of the possession teams, who are striving to modify what minor league baseball seems like,” Parnell said. “This has been my life for 33 yrs. When I depart this, anytime that is, I want entrance workplaces throughout The usa to appear different.”

The Flying Squirrels are creating a connection with Virginia Union College as perfectly, tied in aspect to its Richmond 34 Legacy Weekend, which debuted final year. The club moved the weekend from July to September this calendar year, when courses are in session, to let for more pupil involvement.

The Nine software is not a one-yr thrust, but will be ongoing. And the Traveling Squirrels’ involvement will continue to unfold in more, various methods more than time.

It’s utilizing Robinson’s legacy for action.

“We’re putting methods and applications in area exactly where instead of just saying, ‘We want to transform,’ we’re developing that modify,” Parnell mentioned. “And I consider, to me, that’s the biggest change in how we’re heading about it now and how we see the progress that we’re making.”