Mendez recovering after fielding a ground ball.
During the summer, the Ambassadors will play travel baseball, competing against some of the premiere teams in the Southeast. Scouts will watch and sponsors will see to it that the kids have the right shoes and uniforms.
Participants chosen for the Ambassadors are indeed given a lot. Stewart’s wife, Kelli, who oversees business operations, said it costs $8,000 for each L.E.A.D. player to be trained, equipped and travel to summer tournaments.
But a lot is also expected from them as well.
The players and their families have to make Atlanta a better place to live. Players must complete a monthly community service project on a Saturday. They also must stay connected to school, keep out of trouble and be mentors to middle-school players.
“We serve young men who aren’t necessarily invested in the city,” C.J. Stewart said. “With the service piece, we want to show these young men you can be a strong part of the community now. They haven’t been introduced to that previously. We measure that with civic stats. If the kid has a high batting average, but low civic stats, he can’t stay in our program, period. And they know that.”
The Ambassadors hit the batting cages during practice.
Lorenzo Woodward, a junior at Carver, appreciates that approach.
“Just to help out around the community and to bring something to the middle school kids, helping them have the chance to play and to be a leader, reminds you that it is not all about you, but about the program,” Lorenzo said.
Desmond Stegall, a graduating senior from Mays High School on the city’s west side, will be playing baseball at Middle Georgia College in the fall. He said setting his mind on leaving one way of life and finding something new has been one of his biggest accomplishments.
“Being with this team, and Coach C.J. and Miss Kelli helped me get my mind set on leaving here, applying for colleges and keeping up with my grades,” Desmond said. “Baseball is second. School is first. It took me a minute, but now I realize that. I’ve got to do certain things in life, and college is one of those things.”
C.J. Stewart loves it when the kids talk about college, about leadership and about service. Those things don’t just roll off of kids’ tongues naturally. And just like turning the perfect double play, it takes a lot of time and practice.
“We don’t sugarcoat things around here,” C.J. Stewart said. “You lose credibility and realness if you do. We deal with kids who come from dangerous, troubled streets. Baseball is a great outlet, and for a lot, a way out. But simply getting out isn’t enough. They need to want to come back, give back and be leaders. This program isn’t set up for it to be me and Kelli forever. We need help. We’re expecting it.”
Photography by Clay Duda, JJIE Staff.