Major League Baseball Urban Invitational returns to New Orleans for the third consecutive year. The University of New Orleans will again host games on all three days, from Friday, February 19th through Sunday, February 21st. Games will be played at two locations, Maestri Field the home field of the University of New Orleans Privateers and Wesley Barrow Fields in New Orleans, scheduled to be played exclusively in the city for the third year in a row in the event’s history.
Major League Baseball maintains its progress diversity efforts with programs for inner city youth to participate in baseball with MLB Urban Youth Academies and MLB Charities RBI Programs that recognizes the importance of boosting academic excellence with initiatives providing financial assistance to youth who participate in both programs.
MLB provide youth the necessary funds for annual scholarships for selected RBI players who demonstrate academic excellence, athletic and leadership skills and financial need that plan to attend a “two-year or four-year college or university”.
The collegiate baseball tournament, launched by Major League Baseball in 2008 puts the spotlight on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs. The 2016 tournament feature Division I HBCUs Grambling State University, Southern University, Prairie View A&M University and Alcorn State University as well as the University of New Orleans and Louisiana Tech. Six games will be played between the six schools, with the University of New Orleans hosting games on all three days.
This will be Southern University’s ninth Urban Invitational, making them the only school to have participated in every tournament. Grambling State will make its fifth appearance, the University of New Orleans will make its third appearance, Alcorn State University will be participating for the second time, this will be Louisiana Tech first.
All games are scheduled Central Standard time, as MLB Network and MLB.com will provide telecast of the event.
Friday, February 19, 2:00 p.m. Louisiana Tech vs. Prairie View A&M University New Orleans, LA
Friday, February 19, 5:00 p.m. Southern University vs. Grambling State University New Orleans, LA Wesley Barrow Field
Friday, February 19, 6:00 p.m. Alcorn State University vs. University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA Maestri Field
Saturday, February 20, 2:00 p.m. Southern University vs. Louisiana Tech New Orleans, LA Wesley Barrow Field (TV – MLB Network and MLB.com)
Saturday, February 21, 6:00 p.m. Grambling State University vs. University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA Wesley Barrow Field
Saturday, February 21, TBA Alcorn State University vs. Prairie View A&M University New Orleans, LA Maestri Field
Sunday, February 22, 1:00 p.m. University of New Orleans vs. Louisiana Tech New Orleans, LA Maestri Field
Sunday, February 21, 3:00 p.m. Southern University vs. Alcorn State University New Orleans, LA Wesley Barrow Field
Sunday, February 22, TBA Grambling State University vs. Prairie View A&M University New Orleans, LA TBA.