Caitlyn Carrillo dreams of playing college softball, so having her freshman season at Woodrow Wilson High School cut short due to COVID-19 could have resulted in lost opportunities for development.

But instead of a summer away from the game, Carrillo found herself at the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota, for the first time, participating in the Academy¡¯s RBI League.

¡°I played with my school team. I started this summer because I was a freshman and they asked me if I wanted to play. Of course I said yes,¡± Carrillo said. ¡°I was just home and doing nothing with sports, I had to practice on my own, so it felt good to play on the field again.¡±

Although it was her first year in the league and her freshman campaign, Carrillo was a standout centerfielder and pitcher during the regular season for the Wildcats. She was one of two players from her squad to make the Academy¡¯s RBI Softball All-Star team, playing at Globe Life Field in August.

Despite being among the youngest players selected for the All-Star team, Carrillo came in to pitch in relief with tremendous success, striking out hitters who will be playing college softball next spring. And she notched a key base hit as part of a big inning that propelled her team to the win.

The Rangers fan did not take the opportunity to play at her team¡¯s Major League stadium lightly.

¡°It was awesome. We played, and then the Rangers played there a couple days later. It was cool because I was just there,¡± Carrillo said.

Now that she¡¯s discovered the Academy, Carrillo plans to return for camps and clinics as she works toward her collegiate softball goals. And she¡¯ll be back on the Academy fields this fall when the facility hosts a fall RBI softball league.

The Academy¡¯s Fall RBI softball schedule is slated to open on Oct. 12.

For Carrillo, who has started the year with online classes and online softball workouts, it will mark an important opportunity for an in-person return to the game she loves.

Voter Registration TODAY

The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation is set to host a Voter Registration and food distribution event today, Friday, Sept. 25 at the Academy from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

March to the Polls, a non-partisan voter registration non-profit, will register eligible voters for the November 2020 election.

In addition to the Voter Registration event, the Texas Rangers have partnered with the North Texas Food Bank to donate fresh produce to West Dallas families.

Media are welcome to cover the event. Social distancing guidelines, must be followed, including wearing a facial covering. Boom mics will be required for interviews. For additional information contact 817-273-5203.

ABOUT MARCH TO THE POLLS: March to the Polls is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a more just and equitable democracy through voter empowerment. Our mission is to increase participation in the electoral process by historically underrepresented citizens (primarily people of color, economically disadvantaged people, and people ages 18-24) and ensure that elected officials advocate and promote justice, equity, and equal opportunity for all.

12U Fall Training Program Underway

The Academy¡¯s 12U Fall Training program runs through Oct. 29.

Mondays are geared towards advanced baseball, Tuesdays focus on intermediate baseball, Wednesdays are devoted to 12U and 9U softball, while Thursdays are tailored for 9U advanced and intermediate baseball.

Programming follows all of MLB¡¯s return to play guidelines with the goal of keeping athletes, coaches, and staff safe and healthy.

Registration is available at texasrangersya.leagueapps.com.

18U Programming

For 18U baseball players, programming will begin Oct. 12 and run through Nov. 2. Intermediate baseball will be held on Monday evenings, and advanced baseball on Tuesday evenings.

In lieu of 18U softball programming, the Academy will host a fall RBI softball league. The softball schedule is slated to begin Oct. 12. Dallas Parks and Rec will host the fall season of RBI baseball.

West Dallas Little League

Mercy Street Dallas¡¯s West Dallas Little League opened play Monday, Sept. 21.

Games are being played at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex. Registration is available at mercystreetdallas.org.

Buckner Virtual Programming

Academy athletes are continuing to take part in virtual classes offered by Buckner International¡¯s Family Hope Center at the Rangers MLB Youth Academy. Online classes in both English and Spanish are being offered, while in-person classes will resume at a future date.