Of the big three American sports, baseball has had the hardest time gaining a foothold in the Black community. African-Americans have historically played a huge role at the major league level, but youth no longer gravitate to the baseball diamonds as read
Of the big three American sports, baseball has had the hardest time gaining a foothold in the Black community. African-Americans have historically played a huge role at the major league level, but youth no longer gravitate to the baseball diamonds as readily as they do to football fields and basketball courts. That situation might change soon if baseball teams like the Lost Boyz can get rolling.
Head Coach and Lost Boyz Inc. CEO Lavonte Stewart tells a tale of humble beginnings for the team of youngsters he’s been able to pull together. Just last year, they were basically a group that traveled around the city looking for a game. They weren’t in an official league, but he felt he had to keep them active and out of trouble.
“We were barnstorming,” said Stewart. “But I felt is was important to keep playing because the kids had so much violence going on around them. The shooting, the fighting, the gangbanging,” he said. “These kids looked so lost. They’re lost mentally, spiritually and physically. So I decided to take these lost boys and do something with them.”
This year, things are off to a better start. The Lost Boyz have their own league, and they kicked off the season with an opening day celebration that featured live musical performances, free barbecue, motivational speakers and a visit from Chicago White Sox mascot Southpaw. It all took place at Jesse Owens Park, 87th and Jeffery Streets, which until recently wasn’t used much by the community.
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