FSL1 Tampa Tarpons

The Road to Major League Baseball Begins at Player Development

Published on August 14, 2018 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Tarpons News Release


The New York Yankees Player Development & Scouting Complex in Tampa is an impressive facility, as is George M. Steinbrenner Field. During 2012, under supervision of Mark Newman, Director of Player Development and Damon Oppenheimer, Vice President, Domestic Amateur Scouting, a massive reconstruction was begun at the Complex. Today, the Senior Director of Player Development, Kevin Reese manages baseball operations in a state-of-the-art Player Development & Scouting Complex.

Visionary, George M. Steinbrenner III, "the Boss" dedicated the New York Yankees organization to perform as leaders in the Tampa community. Through his New York Yankees family, to step-up and continue efforts to preserve culture, tradition and values, therefore further enriching the community.

The Player Development Complex provides a "head-start" to the New York Yankees Minor League teams. Talented prospects are scouted and initially assigned to the Player Development & Scouting Complex. A staff of over fifty is available to provide every service at skills training to develop players for the Major Leagues.

The Gulf Coast League is a Rookie Level Minor League Baseball League. It forms the lowest level on the climb to the Major Leagues. At Player Development, emphasis is placed on skills development along with competitive play. The League was founded during 1964 by four (4) Major League Baseball teams, including the New York Yankees. The teams recognized the urgent need of an entry level path to professional baseball for 18-19 year old players out of high school and the evolving market of players from Puerto Rico and Latin America.

The Education Program was initiated in 2016 at the Yankees Baseball Academy in the Dominican Republic. Upon arrival at the Academy, interestingly, before any English could be taught some of the young Latino players had to first receive remedial help in the Spanish language.

Fast Forward 2018: New York Yankees Player Development Education Program has evolved with a more diverse learning process. In addition to baseball skills development, recognizing the percentage of Rookies that attain baseball success, the Education Program addresses players' basic life skills

The New York Yankees Player Development Educational Program in the Gulf Coast League was started in 2016. During the first two years the Yankees partnered with the Hillsborough County School District to teach the classes at historical Jefferson High School.

Classes are also taught at Advanced "A" Tampa Tarpons, Charleston RiverDogs (A), Trenton Thunder (AA), Scranton/Wilkes RailRiders (AAA), Pulaski Yankees (Rookie) and Staten Island Yankees (Short Season A).

The program continues under the direction of Eric Schmidt, Director, Player Development and administered by Joe Perez, Education Coordinator and Melissa Hernandez, Lead Teacher, Player Development Assistant.

Melissa Hernandez has a degree in Special Education from Faminghan University. She is trained in Montessori teaching. She was employed by Major League Baseball in her native Dominican Republic. Her work as a teacher at the Yankees Baseball Academy in the Dominican Republic eventually transferred her to teach in the newly formed Yankees Player Development Education Program in Tampa, Florida.

We met Hemmanuel Rosario Diaz of Juncos, Puerto Rico. The 17 year old catcher signed as a Free Agent. He has been playing baseball since he was 12 years old. Unlike many in camp, he is a graduate of Baseball Academy High School and has good command of the English language. Why is he in the program? Hemmanuel Rosario Diaz recognizes the value of "keep working". "Seek as much help as possible to improve and move", (in the minors).

In the Yankees "finca" camp Education Program is LHP Argelis Herrera, 19 yrs. old, 6'6". His story is a "throwback" to the early days of Scouts traveling through the cornfields of rural America. Herrera was born in Tenares, Provincia Hermana Miravar, Dominican Republic. His teacher advised that even when you reach the town of Tenares, there is no transportation to travel the extra 15 miles to his home. Scouted, Herrera was assigned into the Yankees Baseball Academy. He admitted some of his teammates laugh at his incorrect use of the basic English he has learned but "he doesn't care", he is "committed to study hard to become a great pitcher".

The classrooms in the Yankees Baseball Academy in Dominican Republic and the Gulf Coast League are set-up as a public school classroom. Class sizes are kept small and players are grouped based on their ability. The Yankees Education Program benefits from professional instructors. We met Alicia Rodriguez-Smith, experienced in the IB Program (International Baccalaureate). She clearly explained the three units in the program and the challenges in teaching the Basic to Intermediate to Advanced curriculum. The players all start with "All About My Team". During the weekly 2-day program, the player students are scheduled at 40 minute intervals to exchange classes, in order to benefit from instruction in every program.

*Spanish to English courses are based on a curriculum developed specifically for the New York Yankees minor league players in Player Development. The teaching manual drafted by Joe Perez and Melissa Hernandez contains teaching, learning guidelines, first used at the Yankees Academy in the Dominican Republic. The Education Program, contains definite objectives which were adjusted for the Player Development Education Program in the United States. Nothing was left to chance. Since start-up, the Education Program teaching guidelines have been edited as required. The objective remains the same; "believe, achieve, succeed".

The focus is on basic English; listening, writing, speaking, reading and comprehension. In addition to English vocabulary which is based on life skills, our National Pastime baseball terminology is also emphasized. As in show-&-tell, pictures of items are often used to illustrate. The players are counseled on how to interact with the media and encouraged to give an interview "without" using a translator.

*Computers. Education Consultant Greta Martinez guides the players during intensive instruction and testing using the Burlington English basic computer program. Teachers communicate with players using the "Whats App" application on their smartphone. The bulletin board in the Players Clubhouse is still recognized.

*Life Skills

The players receive instruction on financial matters. Banking vocabulary and math computations; the value of a savings account, write a check and balance a checking account. They learn wire transfers of money. They receive instruction on the transactions of a debit/credit card. The players manage their banking transactions through the applications of Bank of America and Republic Bank.

I was "amazed" as I evaluated a course where the student players were being taught how to differentiate and learn the value of coins, how to convert U.S. currency. This course brought smiles of achievement to the face of the players.

Raymundo Moreno, a 20 years old outfielder from Venezuela, with two seasons in the Yankees Gulf Coast League explained his appreciation for the Education Program. It has improved his understanding of baseball terminology, taught him better communication using the phone and enjoys cooking class. Most of all he has learned how to manage his money and the process of investing. Among his goals is the purchase of a condo.

In a classroom is Life Skills instructor Sandel Torres, "Life Coach". He understands his players' early struggles with the English language. He deals with sensitive issues and talks to the players about differences in cultures, "opening the students eyes to diversity", as it relates to the Yankees Code., their "logo". He provides the players awareness of the Minor League Players Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. On the eager side, they are coached instructions and are tested, as they prepare for a driver's license.

Among Life Skills the players are scheduled in cooking class to learn nutrition, appreciate fruits and vegetables, how to use ingredients and simply prepare food. Dining Room Chef, Michael Scarpa admits the players benefit from cooking class. The young players are eager eaters and the chef works at opening their minds to new foods, explains diet and "weight maintenance" and the value of "nutrition to enhance baseball performance".

Medical Terminology is addressed. New York Yankees Player Development, Medical Coordinator, Mark Littlefield, ensures that no player undergoes any type of medical procedure before fully understanding injury diagnosis, medical procedure and understands expectations in rehabilitation.

Gustavo Campero, catcher, a 20 year old native of Colombia, has spent the last two seasons in Player Development. He started playing baseball when he was 15 years old. His dream is "to play in the big leagues". Currently on the DL with an injury requiring three months in rehabilitation, he remains realistic. He has conversations with Edgar Renteria, a baseball legend of his country. Through the Education Program he has gained awareness of medical trainer in baseball.

All players in the Yankees Player Development System, including the Spanish language players are encouraged to participate in community based programs and each must fulfill four (4) hours of Community Service. Deputy Marilyn Alvarez, Community Outreach Division, from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office provides the students an understanding of Law Enforcement. Through education related topics, they are encouraged to be responsible and make wise decisions.

In addition to the Education Program, those players who wish to pursue their high school diploma are offered the opportunity to participate in an online computer High School Diploma Program from El Buen Samaritano High School. Those who complete the program are required to return to the Dominican Republic to sit for National Evaluations.

When signed, the young players are made hopeful of a successful career playing baseball. Recognizing the low percentage of players who achieve their dream, the New York Yankees organization accepts responsibility. After baseball, the New York Yankees commitment continues in assisting the young adult players to develop professional skills and therefore create opportunities for self-growth.

The New York Yankees Education Program is an "innovative effort". What begins as a start-up to baseball, can eventually return the young men to their communities; with heads-up, they are prepared to enter the work force or study towards occupations they were enlightened to in the Education Program. When a Rookie player is released, Yankees staff members' follow-up with the player to verify that there is money set aside, as per their contract, for educational purpose.

The Education Program would not have achieved success without the commitment of the seven (9) teachers from the Hillsborough County School System. As the Player Development Education Program season comes to a close, each teacher's achievement is recognized through the achievement of the players they taught. During the closing ceremony, those players who completed the Education Program are presented with a "Certificate of Achievement."

Recognizing the constant movement of players, the program demonstrates flexibility. Since the start of the New York Yankees Player Development Education Program, it has achieved success with 12 players and 3 employees having graduated with high school diplomas. In Tampa there are currently 60 Latino players taking classes. The total number of graduates receiving diplomas this season are 7 players and two employees.

The New York Yankees Player Development & Scouting Complex, Education Program, also serves as an anchor in the Tampa community by assisting in providing in-house services to Gigi's Playhouse, Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, and Guardian ad Litem 13th Judicial Circuit Advocate for Children.

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Florida State League Stories from August 14, 2018


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