Club's Amateur City Elite program lets kids hone skills"
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
10/27/09 12:00 AM EST
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- The day already seemed to be pretty darn near close to perfect for Charles Aldridge. But with one magnanimous gesture by Ken Williams and the White Sox organization, it took another happy jump forward.
Aldridge found himself in a back conference room of U.S. Cellular Field last week, the walls decorated with memories from the 2005 World Series championship, as Aldridge was there to celebrate his personal title -- the signing of a letter of intent to play college baseball at Grambling University. This trip to U.S. Cellular also included a chance to take batting practice at the same spot where Paul Konerko and Frank Thomas have done so countless times before Aldridge.
Playing collegiately probably would not have been possible for Aldridge, based just on his strong skill set being put on display for Simeon High School. The competition within the inner-city of Chicago isn't always considered top-notch, and the field conditions where these Public League teams play leave more than a bit to be desired.
"We don't have grass on our infield, and I mean, it is 2009," said Robert Fletcher, an assistant baseball coach at Simeon, who accompanied Aldridge to the White Sox home. "Kids that play in the inner city, most play on fields that are subpar, with no fencing and all that stuff."
Thanks in part to the White Sox, Aldridge's baseball career won't end in Chicago. Aldridge suited up for the White Sox Amateur City Elite, a summer baseball club program for inner-city kids ages 13-17. It's an idea that came from Nathan Durst, the White Sox national crosschecker, who through his scouting days, saw a disconnect between players who are athletically capable of competing at the Division I level, but aren't getting the looks they deserve.
Durst began the process of organizing these traveling squads under the White Sox auspices in 2005, an idea that has developed into five age-specific groups at this current stage.
"Because of the program, I'm a better player," Aldridge said. "I played against good competition, better competition than high school, and it allowed me to get noticed by playing in all the showcases."
"That's the way the game is going, where you can't just play on the high school team," said Fletcher, who has been involved with the White Sox Amateur City Elite since its inception. "Kids in the inner-city and the Public League, they didn't have the money to play travel baseball. So, when Nate Durst came up with this program, and reached out to the Public League, it helped all these kids out. It gave the guys who made the team an opportunity to play good baseball."
As explained by Dan Puente, a one-time Minor League player and presently the White Sox coordinator of youth baseball initiatives, these young men receive expert tutelage on baseball intangibles ranging from hitting to defense to strength training, while competing in elite tournaments when college coaches are evaluating players. The program also stresses education for these hopeful college athletes.
"To be as athletically gifted as you are, without that education piece, that high GPA or ACT or SAT score, the colleges can't do anything with you," said Puente of a program that has helped send 13 kids to college.
"Well, to sit here and see a young man that's going to college, an opportunity to go and play ball, it's all good and well," Williams said. "But to get an education out of this, that's one of the reasons it was started. I've got goosebumps right now for the opportunity [Aldridge] is going to have."
Williams' comments did not come as some general state of the program, but instead were made to Aldridge in person. And there lies the surprise for Simeon's second baseman.
Chicago's local FOX affiliate was interviewing Aldridge about his choice of Grambling, when lead anchor Corey McPherrin set up the unannounced guest at U.S. Cellular.
"White Sox or Cubs?" McPherrin asked Aldridge.
"I'm a White Sox fan," the soft-spoken Aldridge replied.
"Are you a fan of the White Sox general manager at all, as a leader?" McPherrin continued.
"Yeah, but I haven't really met him person-to-person," Aldridge said.
"Would you like to meet him?" said McPherrin with a smile.
At that point, Williams had carefully snuck into the room and was standing behind Aldridge.
"Those were good answers," said Williams with a laugh.
In a strange quirk, Aldridge will be competing against Williams' youngest son, who will play baseball for Southern University. Williams talked about the slender Aldridge adding on some muscle mass and even asked for his best attribute as a player.
"Speed," Aldridge said.
Before finishing off this memorable day, Williams delivered one more crucial message as part of Aldridge's ongoing elite training provided by the South Siders.
"Here's something important you need to understand," Williams said. "It's not just about your athletic ability. I can look at a player and see all the physical ability that God has given him and you can see superstar from the outside.
"If he doesn't understand, that guy doesn't understand, how to be mentally tough, how to think, he's not going to achieve at the highest level -- in anything. Make sure you drill it into your mind: 'Be strong and focus on studies.' Put your priorities in place."
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs