Ryan Howard To Open New Training Center In Philly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Ryan Howard is opening a new Training Center in Philadelphia. The brand new indoor training center will be at the Marian Anderson Recreation Center in South Philadelphia.
A ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Ryan Howard Training Center was conducted today at the MLB Youth Academy.
The Ryan Howard Training Center is 7,500 square feet and has four retractable batting cages. The facility will be accessible to over 8,000 RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) players of the Phillies giving them access to fitness training and educational instruction, as well.
"Generations of young ballplayers in Philadelphia will benefit from this facility," said Mayor Jim Kenney. "The City of Philadelphia is always pleased to offer more ways to engage our youth and their communities. We were fortunate to work with a collection of enthusiastic partners that truly care about this city's young people."
"It has been our passion and mission to give back to our community, especially when it relates to education and baseball," said Ryan and his wife Krystle Howard, The Ryan Howard Big Piece Foundation. "We are very excited for the baseball and softball players that have the opportunity to take advantage and enjoy the Academy's fields, facility, and programs."
Phillies chairman David Montgomery expressed his excitement as well.
"This is an exciting day for young, aspiring baseball and softball players looking to pursue their dreams," said Montgomery. "With the opening of The Ryan Howard Training Center at the Phillies MLB Youth Academy, this center will open many doors for our program participants."