Academy Notebook: Amira Forbit wins Jr. Home Run Derby National Championship; Commissioner’s Cup & Jennie Finch Classic schedules; Youth Academy All-Star sendoff

Amira Forbit wins Jr. Home Run Derby National Championship

Amira Forbit, Mason Berry and Kennedy Day stepped up to the plate at T-Mobile Park today to compete in Major League Baseball’s Jr. Home Run Derby National Championship.

With 11 home runs in the opening round of the 14U softball division, Forbit secured her spot in round two, where she went head-to-head with fellow softballer Tessa Trippy.

In the championship swing off, Forbit topped her round one total, hitting 13 over the fence to secure the Jr. Home Run Derby National Championship and All-Star Game victory chain over Trippy’s 11 home runs.

Forbit is the second Texas Rangers Youth Academy athlete to win the Jr. Home Run Derby National Championship, following Braylon Hubbard, who won the 12U baseball division at the 2022 finals at Dodger Stadium.

Berry, who competed in the 12U baseball division, had a solid performance but hit fewer than seven home runs, keeping him from advancing to the championship swing off. He still managed to showcase his power for spectators, launching a ball well over the temporary fence and clearing the T-Mobile Park outfield wall.

In the 16U softball division, Day posted a solid four-homer performance but fell out of contention for the championship title.

All-Star Commissioner’s Cup & Jennie Finch Classic competitions begins

Play is officially underway at the All-Star Commissioner’s Cup and Jennie Finch Classic tournaments, taking place in Seattle, Wash., this weekend as part of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week.

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy assembled two 17U baseball and softball All-Star teams to contend for championship trophies. The Commissioner’s Cup and Jennie Finch Classic are the most prestigious annual tournaments in which the Youth Academy competes.

Teams arrived in Seattle yesterday, July 6, for opening ceremonies at T-Mobile Park with participating teams and softball legend Jennie Finch.

Competition officially started today with the Rangers All-Star Jennie Finch Classic team falling 8-2 to the Washington Nationals Youth Academy in a late-inning loss. Alyssa Summers had an outstanding performance at the plate and the hot corner to start the weekend.

The Commissioner’s Cup team posted a commanding 16-0 mercy rule win over the Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy to start the tournament, with the entire roster showcasing what it means to be a Rangers Youth Academy All-Star.

Pool play will continue through Sunday, with both Rangers teams battling for the top spot in Pool A.

The top two Jennie Finch Classic teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals on Sunday evening, with the winners facing off in the championship game at the University of Washington’s Husky Softball Stadium on Monday, July 10.

In the Commissioner’s Cup, the winningest teams from Pool A and Pool B will compete for the championship trophy at 11 a.m. CT on Monday at Husky Ballpark.

Youth Academy All-Stars recognized during pregame sendoff at Globe Life Field

This recap is written by Texas Rangers Charley Pride Fellow and University of California, Santa Barbara student, Isaac Moisa.

On Monday, July 3, the Texas Rangers honored the Rangers Youth Academy All-Stars traveling to Seattle to compete in the fourth annual Commissioner’s Cup and Jennie Finch Classic tournaments during a special pregame recognition.

The Youth Academy All-Stars were honored alongside the six Texas Rangers All-Stars heading to Seattle.

Joining the Rangers All-Star Commissioner’s Cup and Jennie Finch Classic teams in Washington, but unable to attend the pregame recognition, David Hogg II, a top Texas high school middle infielder competing in the MLB/USA Baseball High School All-American Game at T-Mobile Park on Friday, July 7.

Mason Berry, Kennedy Day, and Amira Forbit were also recognized for advancing to the Jr. Home Run Derby National Finals at T-Mobile Park, held early Friday morning.

As for the Commissioner's Cup and Jennie Finch Classic, the top 17U athletes from the Rangers Youth Academy will face off against Youth Academies and Nike RBI teams from the U.S. and Puerto Rico in Seattle.

Alyssa Summers, a member of the Jennie Finch Classic team, said, “Based on last year's experience, I’m super excited. We have a good group of girls here to take the trophy home.

"[I'm most excited to] compete against girls who are all around good players and put up a good fight.”

Shantia Haymer, Summers’ teammate for the Jennie Finch Classic, stated, “I’m looking forward to meeting girls that are really passionate about the game, pushing myself past my limits and having fun.”

Commissioner’s Cup All-Star Romel Garcia said, “We want to beat Puerto Rico this year— we lost to them last year, so I’m excited to beat them, compete hard, and win the championship.”

Garcia’s teammate Trace Spann added, “I’m really looking forward to the experience of seeing all the MLB All-Stars in Seattle and being able to play against good competition.”

Rangers Nike RBI baseball Playoff schedule