Recent Articles
Related Articles

Recent Articles By Ellis E. Conklin

National Features

  • Miami New Times
    The Murder of Master Do

    In a city plagued by killings, the most perplexing death is that of a killer.

    ByTamara Lush
  • SF Weekly
    Pitching "Woo-Woo"

    He'll find you a parking space and even watch your car--if the meter maids let him.

    By Ashley Harrell
  • Nashville Scene
    Spank the Honkey

    The victim of a racial slur exacts a special kind of retribution.

    By P.J. Tobia
  • Broward-Palm Beach New Times
    Spring Break is Still Awesome

    Try as it might, Ft. Lauderdale still can't shake America's die-hard partiers.

    By Michael J. Mooney

RBI took root in South Central Los Angeles in 1989, the brainchild of former Detroit Tiger John Young. Mathews-Dickey adopted RBI the following year, making St. Louis the second city to embrace the program. In 1991 Major League Baseball took over administration of the program.

Today, Brasuell says, teams in 203 cities worldwide participate, with 125,000 kids age thirteen through eighteen enrolled in the program. Last year MLB contributed $1 million to keep RBI running. Additional funding comes from individual big league teams. The Cardinals, for example, donate $50,000 a year to Mathews-Dickey. Townsend says that money covers the cost of uniforms, equipment and tournament travel. Still, it's a far cry from the tens of millions MLB pours into Latin America.

"Back when RBI first started here, we blossomed to 56 teams," recalls Tom Sullivan, vice president of operations at Mathews-Dickey. "Ozzie and McGee and Eric Davis were heavily involved. We had 1,000 kids playing in the early '90s. Now, we're down to 20 teams and maybe 300 kids."

Sullivan is quick to say that the Cardinals' front office is not to blame, and he's appreciative of the club's efforts in building new baseball diamonds in St. Louis through its Redbird Rookies program. "They've been great," says Sullivan. "We are getting great support from Ted Savage and the Cardinals. It's just that we don't get the support from the professional athletes anymore."

Savage concurs. "In the early years [of RBI], the professional players came in, coached and donated their time. You just don't see that anymore."

Townsend remembers his first year coaching at the Boys & Girls Club. "Seemed like everyone was playing then," he says. "But now, you know, kids aren't going to games. They're not seeing it. For me it's all about teaching them something and hoping they'll flourish. If they make it to the pros, that's great. But it's more important that they become solid citizens."

Last year MLB and RBI presented Townsend with the 2006 Baseball America Youth Coach of the Year Award. At a ceremony in New York, Hall of Famer Cal Ripken said, "Marcus Townsend is more than just a coach for the young people at Mathews-Dickey Girls & Boys Club of St. Louis. He's a mentor, a father figure, a strong hand to help these youngsters go down the right path."

Joyce Jones says that when she delivered the good news to Townsend, his first words were: "'Can this help our Boys Club with our baseball program in any way?' He's one of the most unselfish people there is."

Write Your Comment show comments (2)

  1. Blackout

    In reading this story it brings great sadness. What was once the American Game. Now can not get young black players interested. What is the problem. I am sure that there are a lot of people ,who wish they knew the answer. If Mathew-Dickey struggles to fill teams there is a problem.

    One of my most memorable days were opening day in the city,at Fairgrounds or at Herbert Hoover Boys club. The Opening Day of Mathews-Dickey Boys club Baseball Season.Back in 1968 the Parks would be packed with players,parents and Fans. Baseball was King. Players from all over the city played against each other. From Pruitt- Igoe to Kinlock. Martin Mathews could be seen running around the city neighborhoods recruiting Coaches and sponsors. There were so many teams that coaches had 3 teams and sometime 4.

    And most teams were sponsored by business, INSURANCE COMPANIES, DRY CLEANERS, PHARMACIES, even the Black Gangsters sponsored teams. A young black baseball player could go anywhere. And never worry about anything ,jusy say who you play for! The Knights,The St John Orioles, Pruitt-Igoe Cardinals. EAST ST LOUIS COLT 45.

    That is the Era that my generation knew. Blacks went to baseball games in droves. Bob Gibson vs Al Downing , Al Jackson vs Sandy Kofax that how it was. Yes, Ole Jackie , Satchel Page , James Cool Papa Bell. Are looking down in disbelief at the game of baseball. I now live in California , Baseball is King. But for the new generation they just do not see the value of the game. The History ,they do not care about. But I do. The Game has to be promoted again.

    I agree that the player have to promote the game again. If Mathews-Dickey has troubles ,as they do. There has to be an answer. This new generation of black youth has to be captured.

    Comment by Jerry kIRKWOOD — April 16, 2007 @ 05:31AM

  2. Blackout

    In reading this story it brings great sadness. What was once the American Game. Now can not get young black players interested. What is the problem. I am sure that there are a lot of people ,who wish they knew the answer. If Mathew-Dickey struggles to fill teams there is a problem.

    One of my most memorable days were opening day in the city,at Fairgrounds or at Herbert Hoover Boys club. The Opening Day of Mathews-Dickey Boys club Baseball Season.Back in 1968 the Parks would be packed with players,parents and Fans. Baseball was King. Players from all over the city played against each other. From Pruitt- Igoe to Kinlock. Martin Mathews could be seen running around the city neighborhoods recruiting Coaches and sponsors. There were so many teams that coaches had 3 teams and sometime 4.

    And most teams were sponsored by business, INSURANCE COMPANIES, DRY CLEANERS, PHARMACIES, even the Black Gangsters sponsored teams. A young black baseball player could go anywhere. And never worry about anything ,jusy say who you play for! The Knights,The St John Orioles, Pruitt-Igoe Cardinals. EAST ST LOUIS COLT 45.

    That is the Era that my generation knew. Blacks went to baseball games in droves. Bob Gibson vs Al Downing , Al Jackson vs Sandy Kofax that how it was. Yes, Ole Jackie , Satchel Page , James Cool Papa Bell. Are looking down in disbelief at the game of baseball. I now live in California , Baseball is King. But for the new generation they just do not see the value of the game. The History ,they do not care about. But I do. The Game has to be promoted again.

    I agree that the player have to promote the game again. If Mathews-Dickey has troubles ,as they do. There has to be an answer. This new generation of black youth has to be captured.

    Comment by Jerry kIRKWOOD — April 16, 2007 @ 05:31AM

About Us | Work for Riverfront Times | Esubscribe | Free St. Louis Classifieds | National Advertising | Privacy Policy
Problem With the Site? | RSS | Site Map
©2008 Village Voice Media All rights reserved.

Riverfront Times Insiders

  • Local food, music and news blasts
  • Free Stuff

buy, sell, trade (4,043)
musician (458)
rentals (4,138)
jobs (2,755)
adult entertainment (1,115)
NOW CLICK THIS