Channing Vernon has his sights set on playing Major League Baseball.
Thanks to his time at the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex, presented by Toyota, the Cedar Hill junior has already appeared on Globe Life Field.
¡°Being a Texas Rangers fan, being raised in Dallas, being able to play on a field that Major League players were soon to play on¡It was really incredible because I have aspirations of playing Major League Baseball, hopefully at Texas. It was really great being able to play there,¡± Vernon said of being one of the Academy RBI participants to make the RBI All-Star teams that played at Globe Life Field in August.
While Vernon has been playing baseball since the age of four, 2020 marked his second refining his game by participating in the Academy¡¯s RBI league.
¡°Channing started getting the attention of coaches with how he performed at the plate in games and scrimmages against pitchers who had represented the Rangers on previous RBI All Star teams. He regularly showed extra base hit power against top competition, to go along with above average speed and instincts on the bases,¡± Academy Director Juan Leonel Garciga said.
The pandemic brought about an abrupt ending to his first season playing varsity at Cedar Hill last year. But baseball returned for Vernon with the Academy¡¯s RBI Opening Day in June, allowing him to play alongside three of his high school teammates, too.
August¡¯s All-Star game at Globe Life Field marked one final chance for the group to play together, as two of the Cedar Hill students were seniors.
¡°Being able to play with them and having an overall great experience with my friends. I basically consider them my family now. Being with my family playing on the same field is great,¡± Vernon said.
Vernon is taking his baseball goals one step at a time. The TCU fan has his eye on the Horned Frogs for his next destination.
¡°To make myself better each year and try to take myself to the next level. Right now, I¡¯m in high school, my next goal is to make it to college. And from there, try to make it to the majors,¡± Vernon said of the way he¡¯s approaching his goals.
He¡¯s using his time at the Academy for the extra practice and competition to make dreams into reality.
Fall RBI Softball Underway
The fall season of RBI softball is slated to run through Saturday, Dec. 5.
The complete schedule is listed below. Scheduling is subject to change, and updates can be found by following the Rangers Youth Academy on social media.
Dallas Parks and Rec will host the fall season of RBI baseball.
Fall Training Program in the Books
Over 300 baseball and softball players ages 7 through 18 honed their skills in the Academy¡¯s eight week Fall Training Program, which concluded Wednesday, Nov. 4.
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.