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MLB’s Urban Youth Academies


Major League Baseball receives its fair share of criticism, but it often doesn’t receive the praise it deserves when it backs an initiative that truly does a lot of good — especially for young kids and teens.

Its network of 11 Urban Youth Academies does indeed do a lot of good for young people in inner cities.

By focusing on the newest such academy in Kansas City, we look at who helped fund it, what services it provides (that go beyond playing the sport) and why its exact location “links the past with the future.” Check it out!

The tale of the tape on only one ballpark!


Every year since 2003, we’ve provided a lighthearted comparison of the two ballparks in that year’s World Series. We’d do that this year, too, except for the fact that only one ballpark is being used … and it’s not the home park of either of this year’s WS contestants.

One more reason 2020 is a whacked-out year!

So check out our look at the neutral-site home for this year’s Fall Classic: Globe Life Field in Arlington!

Bubble Baseball


MLB’s playoffs look a lot different in 2020 than in previous years. We interviewed officials at MLB to get the “why” and “how” behind the “what.” Why did so many teams make the playoffs this year? How were seedings determined? Why were the four “bubble” cities chosen? What will life be like for the players in the “bubbles”? Will fans be allowed at games? How do the umpires feel?

These questions and more are answered in our piece called “Here Comes Bubble Baseball.”

Cornfield of Dreams


I was all set to cover the “MLB at Field of Dreams Game” in Dyersville, Iowa when MLB headquarters pulled the plug on the event.

Since I’d already put together an article for USA TODAY previewing the game and the ballpark created in the middle of a cornfield, I am posting it here. You can learn about how the site was determined and what went into its design with “corn, corn and more corn.”

Click here to read the article.

Globe Life Field opens. Attendance: 0


Fans weren’t allowed to attend the first game at the Texas Rangers’ $1.2 billion Globe Life Field, as was the case at the other 14 Opening Day games in big-league baseball.

BaseballParks.com got to cover the event in Arlington, though, so we can bring you a description of what the experience was like. You can also learn the thinking of those who provided the gameday experience to the empty facility.

The ballpark — especially on the inside — is gorgeous. We look forward to providing you with a review of what it’s like to attend a game there once patrons are permitted in and the fan amenities are open.

But in the meantime, enjoy our look at the first-ever game at Globe Life Field.