Big 5 Sporting Goods Funding For MLB Urban Youth Academy

Some of the youngest boys and girls getting world class instruction at the at Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Rick Gridley, from Big 5, holds the check representing Big 5's WellnessAd funding as he is flanked (left) by Rod Carew and (right) by Don Buford with Major League Baseball's Darrell Miller in back. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

A Negro League display and interpretive exhibit at the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

One of the displays at Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Don Buford tell Doug Takaragawa where he'd like him to drive the new equipment from Big 5 Sporting Goods for the Urban Youth Academy.

The insiders tour of the Academy conducted by Darrell Miller and Don Buford continues for Pete Mulvaney and Rick Gridley of Big 5 (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Rod Carew, (center) Hall of Famer, 18-time All Star and a seven-time batting champion and a member of baseball's exclusive 3,000-hit club talks baseball with two of the instructors at Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Players and instructors at the Urban Youth Academy pose with Rick Gridley, Public Affairs Director for Big 5 Sporting Goods. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Rick Gridley, from Big 5, holds the check representing Big 5's WellnessAd funding as he is flanked (left) by Major League Baseball's Darrell Miller and hitting legend, Rod Carew and (right) by the Academy's Director, Don Buford, and EcoMedia's Taylor Tomczyszyn. (credit: Eco Media/CBS)

Rick Gridley, from Big 5, holds the check representing Big 5's WellnessAd funding as he is flanked (left) by Rod Carew and (right) by Don Buford.

The exercise room at Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy in Compton (credit: EcoMedia/CBS)

Rick Gridley, from Big 5 shakes hand with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and perennial All Star, Rod Carew, as a pleased Don Buford looks on. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

(from left to right) Darrell Miller of Major League Baseball, Pete C. Mulvaney, VP, Advertising, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Don Buford,Director of MLB's Urban Youth Academy in Compton with Rick Gridley, Public Affairs Director for Big 5 Sporting Goods with the ceremonial check representing Big 5's WellnessAd funding for new uniforms. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Darrell Miller starts the tour of the Academy's facilities for Pete Mulvaney and Rick Gridley of Big 5. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Rick Gridley, from Big 5 shakes hand with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and perennial All Star, Rod Carew, as a pleased Don Buford looks on. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Darrell Miller (far left) of Major League Baseball talks about the positive impact the Academy has had on not only its young students but also the surrounding neighborhood. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Urban Youth Academy Manager, Don Buford, happily inspects the new baseball equipment Big 5 Sporting Goods had donated in addition to their WellnessAd funding for uniforms. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Rod Carew, (center) Hall of Famer, 18-time All Star and a seven-time batting champion and a member of baseball's exclusive 3,000-hit club talks baseball with two of the instructors. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Kids of all ages gather around the pitchers mound at one of the Academy's practice fields to pose for a photo in thanks for Big 5's WellnessAd fund and equipment donation. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Rod Carew, (center) Hall of Famer, 18-time All Star and a seven-time batting champion and a member of baseball's exclusive 3,000-hit club talks baseball with two of the instructors at the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Players and instructors at the Urban Youth Academy pose with Rick Gridley, Public Affairs Director for Big 5 Sporting Goods. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Don Buford, (left) Manager of the MLB Urban Youth Academy, former MLB All Star and World Series winner with Doug Takaragawa, Academy Coordinator & Programs and Scout Teams Manager overseeing Saturday workouts (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Players of all ages at the Academy pose for photo before getting back to practice. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)

Young ballplayers under the watchful eyes of Urban Youth Academy instructors on a beautiful spring Saturday morning. (credit: EcoMedia CBS)