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Tournaments  | Story | 7/7/2019

White Sox ACE changing lives

Jack Nelson
Photo: Eddie King Jr. (Perfect Game)

EMERSON, Ga. – The Chicago White Sox 2021 have made the trip down from the Windy City to make some noise. So far, they have done that as they improved to 3-0 Sunday evening with a 5-4 victory over Scoutz USA. Halfway through pool play, they are on pace to achieve their goal of making the playoff rounds of the 16u WWBA National Championship.

“We’re playing our best baseball right now,” said center fielder Eddie King Jr. “We want to go 7-0 and make it to bracket play.”

They certainly performed like a team with a sense of urgency, as they wasted no time in striking first against the Scoutz. Leadoff man Noah Smith saw two pitches and then smacked a single in the top of the first, and eventually came around to score on an RBI ground out from King. After a Jorge Garcia RBI single, Zemaurion Hatcher poked a majestic opposite field double to push the lead to 3-0. Hatcher would cross the plate to make it 4-0 before Scoutz USA had a chance to pick up the sticks.

On the mound, Adan Vega went five innings, allowing two runs, none of which were earned. He allowed just three hits, and maneuvered his way around five walks. After a shaky first inning in relief, Triston Schultz had a clean frame in the seventh to nail down the victory, 5-4.

The on-field success is just part of the story. Sports have the unique ability to change lives. What’s going on in the White Sox program is about so much more than baseball.

These 16u White Sox players are given an incredible opportunity to travel the country in pursuit of their goals. And this is the product of the commitment the big league club has taken to improving the future of Chicago. While the White Sox last won the pennant in 2005, their initiative in creating the ACE program has to be considered one of the great achievements in franchise history.

ACE stands for Amateur City Elite. Like many professional sports teams, the Chicago White Sox Charities and the White Sox 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization have committed to uplift the area surrounding the Windy City. They founded the ACE program in 2007 with the goal of pulling Chicago kids away from the dangers of the streets and use baseball as a means provide them a path to a successful life. Some of the kids in the program come from the poorest areas of the city such as Englewood and Roseland, but coming to the ACE program gives them a way out.

With teams from 12u to 17u, ACE provides its players financial and educational support to get to the next level, whether that be college or the pros. And they’ve been astoundingly successful. Over 190 alumni have gone on to receive a college scholarship, and this includes major baseball powerhouses like Louisville, Michigan, and Arkansas. 21 more have been drafted, including Corey Ray, who was the fifth overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft.

This 16u group at the WWBA 16u National Championship features elite talent in Noah Smith and Eddie King Jr. Smith is ranked No. 14 overall in Perfect Game’s high school class of 2021 and the top player in Illinois. King is ranked 254th overall and the No. 5 player in the state of Illinois. Both are committed to play their college ball at Louisville.

With colleges recruiting players at younger and younger ages, the role travel of teams has become more important now than ever. In many cases, players are committing before they even get an inning of high school baseball under their belt. In the case of Smith and King, White Sox ACE has proven invaluable. And the opportunity to play with each other now and in the ACC in a couple years is something they look forward to.

“My dad got me in the game when I was five,” King said. “By the time I was 12, I started playing for the White Sox. I’ve loved playing with the organization because we play against the best everywhere we travel. I had committed before I even played a high school game.”

“Eddie and I have been playing together since we were 10,” Smith added. “It’s kind of cool. Wherever he goes, I go. And wherever I go, he goes.”

While Smith and King Jr. are the first dominos to fall, there are sure to be plenty more White Sox and that will pledge to a college. Tyler Fullman is a name that may be off the board sooner rather than later. Fullman pitched on Saturday and struck out 10 in just four innings, running his fastball up to 90 mph. He is ranked 146th in the high school class of 2021.

“Our goal is to help these kids get better every day,” said coach Romey Bracey. “We go 11 months out of the year, and in that time we develop them as baseball players and young men. We start them at age 11, and from there we get them to the point where they are either going off to play professionally or in college. “

Two colleges in particular, the University of Louisville and the University of Michigan, have really gobbled up ACE products. Michigan featured multiple ACE alumni on their 2019 team that reached the College World Series Finals.

“Louisville and Michigan have come to really like our program,” Bracey said. “One of their coaches said he wants one of our guys every year. It’s great to build relationships with those quality Power 5 programs.”

Despite the quick start, there’s still a lot of work to do. Nearly 400 teams came down to the Atlanta area with the same goal. Just getting to bracket play is a challenge, but to win a WWBA National Championship is a major feat that requires immense mental toughness and constant laser sharp focus. It is this mentality that Bracey is trying to instill in his players.

“Ultimately, we try to teach them about preparation,” Bracey said. “Baseball is a grind, and you have to come prepared every day. That’s how you get to be successful in this game and in life.”
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