ATLANTA — Arthur Darensburg knew what he could do. Even though he was coming off little sleep. Even though his team’s flight from Dallas to Atlanta took off at 5 a.m. that day. He had to run the bases in less than 14.15 seconds. Darensburg knew what he could do. He just had to show it.
The 16-year-old from Mesquite, Texas, took off from home plate, his dreadlocks flowing through the air as he strided around the basepaths. The time flashed as he crossed home:
Runner after runner, each representing their respective MLB Youth Academy or Nike RBI team, couldn’t beat Darensburg’s time. After all 10 participants ran — and a run-off with the other two fastest times — Darensburg still stood alone at the top, taking home the first trophy from this year’s All-Star Commissioner’s Cup.
“It feels great to know that you kick off All-Star Weekend with a good opportunity to come out here, showcase your skill and win,” said Darensburg, representing the Texas Rangers Youth Academy. “That’s a great feeling for me.”
High school ballplayers from across the country converged at the Lovett School in Atlanta on Thursday evening for the opening ceremonies of the Commissioner’s Cup and the Jennie Finch Classic, the annual All-Star Week youth baseball and softball tournament for players 17 and under.
“This experience has been amazing so far,” said Isabella Sanchez, an incoming senior from Whittier, Calif., representing the Compton Youth Academy. “The flight was long, but we’re here now. It’s been amazing getting to know new people from all over the country. Just knowing we’re gonna compete against each other makes it more fun and exciting.”
In addition to teams from across the mainland U.S., 15 baseball players from the Elite Development Training Program in Puerto Rico got the opportunity to represent their home. It took a four-hour flight that landed at 6 a.m., but it’s all worth it for an opportunity that Aris Jimenez, a 17-year-old out of Guaynabo, especially took pride in considering he was one of 50 potential players selected to the team.
“It’s a huge honor,” Jimenez said in Spanish. “I’m fortunate that they chose me. It’s an honor to be able to be here and have this privilege that isn’t afforded to a lot of other people.”
This year’s edition of opening night had a twist, featuring the aforementioned race between the baseball players and a home run derby for the softball players. Each team was again represented by one player, with each given 10 swings to accumulate points based on the distance they hit. The players with the top four point totals advanced to the semifinal round, after which the top two advanced to the championship.
Things picked up in the second round, but Carmen Bivins (Houston Astros Youth Academy) stole the show, showcasing her power with swings that cleared the outfield fences and the light towers, sailing into the treeline. Bivins would emerge as the derby’s inaugural winner.
“I was pretty calm the whole time,” Bivins, a native of Missouri City, Texas, said. “It was a lot of pressure, but I know how my coach throws. I know how I hit. So it was pretty easy.”
Bivins attributes her swing to her upbringing with her dad, who taught her everything that she still carries with her to this day: how to swing, how to finish high, and how to hit home runs. It also helps that she brings experience from last year’s Finch Classic and as an alumni of MLB Develops.
“I feel like I’m representing what we have,” Bivins said. “We’re a winning team. I’m showing my skill. I’m showing what our team also has to offer.”
With both events decided, the opening ceremonies ended with a guest appearance from Braves legend Marquis Grissom, who spoke briefly to the crowd. The youth tournaments will unfold over the weekend with games played at the Lovett School, North Atlanta High School and MacNease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium (Georgia Tech), culminating with the championship games on Monday at Georgia Tech.
“What I’m looking forward to the most is having a good time with my teammates from Puerto Rico, getting to know new people, watching the big leaguers, and just enjoying,” Jimenez said in Spanish. “And winning, too.”
