DC Grays Baseball recently hosted a Zoom seminar for aspiring college baseball and softball players.  More than 80 DC Grays RBI middle school and high school families participated in the call, which was lead by Harry Thomas, DC  Grays RBI softball director and Brad Burris, Director of Player Development for DC Grays RBI. 

Coppin State University Athletic Director Derek Carter discussed the college recruiting process, and Coppin State compliance director Vera Carrington discussed critical policies and procedures for  prospective college athletes.

Tonja Braxton from the National Scouting Service and Van Graves from Top Prospect Network shared tips and helpful hints for how scholastic baseball and softball players can market themselves to college coaches.

"These professionals did a great job helping our players understand what it takes to become college ballplayers," said Thomas, himself the head softball coach at Washington Adventist University.  Several of Thomas' DC Grays RBI softball players have gone on to play college softball - several at the Division 1 level.  "These kids and their families are so dedicated, and the kids work so hard.  We want to do everything we can to help them make that next step."

​July 21, 2020 – The DC Grays RBI youth baseball and softball programs have started their summer 2020 seasons, with a full “return to play” program designed to protect the health and safety. These guidelines are based on best practices developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the District of Columbia Health Department.  The DC Grays RBI “return to play” plans were developed in consultation with Major League Baseball, and are based on guidelines suggested by MLB and Little League International.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the National Capital Area, the Board of Directors of DC Grays Baseball voted unanimously not to field a team in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League this summer.  All players currently under contract to the DC Grays will receive full releases, allowing them to sign with other summer college teams if they so choose.  All fees will be refunded in full.  After the pandemic has passed, we look forward to fielding a championship-level team in the Ripken League in 2021. 

DC Grays Baseball will continue to operate its DC Grays RBI youth program this summer – and will have kids on the field as soon as fields and parks are opened up in the District of Columbia.  DC Grays RBI is an affiliate of MLB’s Reviving Baseball in Inner-Cities (RBI) initiative, and provides baseball and softball opportunities for boys and girls ranging in age from 9-18.  Last year over 260 kids participated in DC Grays RBI programs, most of them from Wards 6, 7, and 8.