MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the Woodbridge Baseball Academy is to forge partnerships to create and strengthen an infrastructure which will support the positive development of Detroit area youth through the sport of Baseball.  As a fully developed capacity-building organization the WBA believes:

• All young people need a variety of opportunities, safe places and caring Adults to help them grow and develop;

• Youth must be active participants in their learning and development to become productive citizens.

• Nurturing youth and their parents fosters the growth of healthy communities.

• An intentional focus on the positive development of youth through involvement in athletics (baseball) will lead to more disciplined policies, practices and programs.

• Athletics (baseball) can assist in making a significant impact in a child’s life by helping transform the way that child thinks about themselves and the world. Directly and Indirectly Woodbridge Baseball Academy will provide that opportunity for urban youth.

GOALS:

1. Teach Life Skills through the game of Baseball

2. Empower youth by teaching the proper skills and fundamentals of Baseball

3. Promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles through Baseball Training

4. Strengthen our community (Detroit) through sports (Baseball)

5. Utilize an advanced standard set of evaluation methods to measure outcomes

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

This project began due to several conversations between Coach Leon McKissic and Coach Mike Wilson about the declining state of Baseball in the Detroit area and lack of African Americans participating within high school, collegiate ranks and the major leagues.  The conversation culminated into establishing goals and objectives which we felt could be accomplished by creating a comprehensive Baseball Academy for urban youth in Detroit’s Woodbridge Community Youth Center. Woodbridge Baseball Academy Co-Directors, McKissic and Wilson have set the criteria for each camp via administration, marketing, registration, camp instructor personnel, t-shirt design and skill development break-out stations. The Co-Directors have fully documented the short-term and long-term goals including taking steps to help implement these goals in the immediate future. The WBA seeks to make each Baseball experience safe, fun, and healthy for campers, coaches and parents alike. In addition, the academy promotes the value and importance of sports and physical activities in the emotional, physical, social and mental development of youth.

Organized sports activities encourage physical activity by providing safe and healthy environments where they can learn new skills and interact with positive peers and adults (Coaches). Sports (baseball) participation also exposes young people to situations that challenge their character and ability by providing opportunities to experience physical challenges, work with teammates, experience victory and defeat, and interact with others in positive controlled environments.

 TARGET POPULATION:

• Metro Detroit area youth ages 7 – 12

• At-risk youth due to a variety of individual, family and community risk factors

• Youth experiencing a lack of life skills and low self-esteem

• Youth struggling to attend school or produce good grades consistently

• Detroit Public School students Metro Detroit Charter School students

• Our goal is to increase camp participation on a local level each session.

STAFF/COACHES:

Critical to the success of any youth sports programs is the assurance that the Coaches are highly qualified and trained for the instruction offered to each participant. WBA has more than 130 years of combined baseball coaching experience at the High School and Collegiate levels within our coaching ranks, not to mention Travel and World competitions. Not only is our staff qualified but their absolutely passionate about teaching youth the game of baseball.  We also have gone to great lengths to maintain our player-coach ratio of 8:1 at each training session. All of our Coaches have coached at least at the High School level and are from the local area. They have a vested interest in the youth and the future of our community. Training topics will include:

• Teaching proper fundamentals

• Suggested drills to reinforce fundamentals

• Proper conditioning

• Proper nutrition, health & wellness

• Importance of Speed and Aggressiveness

• Mental aspects and preparation for Baseball

• Background of Baseball in the African American community (previous success)

• Good Sportsmanship

• Maintaining a focused and positive attitude

 EVALUATION / OUTCOME MEASURES:

WBA will utilize a standard set of evaluation measurements to validate the attainment of specific outcome measures for each camper that completes the program.  Measurement will occur through data reports, video performance, staff observation surveys and parental satisfaction surveys.

And all of thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. - Isaiah 54:13