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Tennis

Harlem Junior Tennis Program Aims to Expand with $50M

2024-12-05

Harlem, NY is home to the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (HJTEP), a neighborhood nonprofit dedicated to shaping champions both on and off the tennis court. With a rich history since 1972, the program now aims to expand and serve even more. Executive director Katrina Adams emphasizes the need for growth while staying at the Harlem Armory Center.

Ambitious Dream: A Public Indoor Tennis Facility

The dream is to create the first public indoor tennis facility in Manhattan, along with outdoor courts. Adams envisions 16 tennis courts - eight indoor and eight outdoor - in a building that could span an entire city block. This facility would include classrooms, locker rooms, a cafeteria, community spaces, and administrative offices. It would be a self-sustaining public facility, renting court time, running clinics and leagues, and hosting events. Currently serving over 800 children with a waitlist of 500, the new facility would increase capacity to approximately 2,500 students annually. 1: The significance of this expansion cannot be overstated. Not only would it serve more youth in Harlem but also kids from all over the city. Tennis is a healthy sport, and the adults also need health and wellness opportunities. It would become a hub for the community, providing a space for people of all ages to come together and engage in this wonderful sport. 2: With 16 courts, the program would be able to offer a wide range of tennis activities and programs. From beginner lessons to advanced competitions, there would be something for everyone. This would help to develop a love for tennis in the community and potentially lead to more players reaching the highest levels of the sport.

Fundraising and Real Estate Options

To achieve its vision, HJTEP is exploring multiple real estate options. This includes purchasing property, a long-term lease, or a partnership with a developer or other entity. Finding suitable space in Harlem is a challenge due to high property costs and limited availability. A comprehensive request for proposals (RFP) is being finalized and will soon be distributed to attract potential partners and investors. 1: The organization is also preparing a capital campaign to fund the project, which will include selling naming rights for the facility. Adams estimates that the raise could be between $50 to $75 million, depending on the location. This is a significant amount, but Adams is confident that there are many people who would want to support this initiative. 2: By selling naming rights, HJTEP can attract corporate sponsors and individuals who are passionate about tennis and education. This would not only provide the necessary funds for the expansion but also bring in additional resources and support for the program. It would be a win-win situation for both the organization and the sponsors.

Lessons from Past Successes

Mirante, who is advising HJTEP, likened the expansion to his previous work with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Over a decade ago, he helped Ailey realize a transformative vision for a new building, overcoming financial and logistical challenges. Just like Judith Jamison at Alvin Ailey, Adams understands the importance of a permanent home for the program. 1: Mirante recalled how Judith Jamison got up and said they needed a new building. At first, there was doubt about the financial aspect, but with the help of the board and supporters, they were able to find the right building. Similarly, HJTEP is working hard to make their dream a reality. 2: The success of the Alvin Ailey project shows that with determination and the right support, anything is possible. HJTEP is taking inspiration from this and is confident that they can achieve their goals. They have a dedicated team and a strong community behind them, and they are ready to take on the challenges ahead.

Timing and Collaboration

Mirante believes that this kind of project really takes a village. The key is to manage the timing so that when they find the site, they are able to execute on it. The group will soon meet with the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Mayor Eric Adams' office. 1: Adams hopes to cut the ribbon at the end of 2028, which is a fast track. However, 2029 would be ideal. This shows the organization's commitment to moving forward and making their expansion a reality. 2: Collaboration with the city and other organizations will be crucial in making this project a success. By working together, they can overcome any obstacles and create a world-class tennis facility in Harlem.Adams has been with HJTEP for nearly 20 years and joined the organization because she understood and believed in its mission. She grew up in inner-city Chicago and knows the power of tennis to transform lives. More information about HJTEP is available here.Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

MLB is in a state of mourning as one of its greats has left us. On Thursday, Dec. 5, former Chicago White Sox All-Star Bill Melton passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, following a brief illness. He was 79 years old. Melton, often referred to as “Beltin’ Bill” or “Beltin’ Melton,” had a remarkable career as a third baseman for the Chicago White Sox from 1968 to 1977.

Melton's Baseball Achievements

In 1971, Melton was named the American League home run champion and was selected to the All-Star team that same year. He held the record for the White Sox's all-time home run leader until 1987 when he was surpassed by Harold Baines. His performance on the field was a testament to his skill and dedication. However, his career was marred by an injury in 1972. While trying to save his son from falling off a roof, he herniated two discs, which led to a decline in his performance. Despite this setback, Melton continued to make an impact in the baseball world.After retiring from baseball in 1977, Melton embarked on a new chapter in his life. He took on several different jobs, one of which was helping Michael Jordan during his brief stint as a baseball player in 1993.

Helping Michael Jordan

“My job was just to show him setups, look at a lot of videos of some guys that I liked, that I thought had good swings, good setups…,” Melton told MLB in 2020. “So, my deal was just simply to get him ready for Spring Training and talk to him.” Jordan, who joined the NBA in 1984 and famously retired from basketball in 1993 shortly after his father's murder, signed a Minor League Baseball contract with the Chicago White Sox in 1994. He played for their AA affiliate, the Birmingham Barons. Melton's role in helping Jordan prepare for baseball was crucial.

Jordan's Baseball Journey

“I thought MJ, he had the speed, he had the arm, he definitely would’ve probably had the power, but it takes more than one year to kind of figure out what you’re doing,” Melton told WGN in 2020. “He was there, full-throated, interested, never missed a day, punctual, on time, and had a real interest in wanting to play Major League Baseball.” Jordan gave baseball a shot as a tribute to his late father and retired from the sport in 1995. He then returned to play basketball for the Chicago Bulls mid-way through their 1994-1995 season and stayed with them until 1998.After working with Jordan, Melton became the White Sox pre- and postgame television analyst for WGN in 1998 and later joined NBC Sports Chicago in 2005. He retired from broadcasting in 2020.The White Sox issued an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Bill Melton, who played 10 seasons in the major leagues, including eight with the White Sox, and served as a popular pre and postgame analyst for White Sox telecasts for over two decades, passed away early this morning in Phoenix after a brief illness. He was 79 years old.” The team's chairman, Jerry Reinsdorf, also paid tribute to Melton. In a statement to Fox News, he said, “Bill Melton enjoyed two tremendous careers with the White Sox. His first came as a celebrated home run king for White Sox teams in the early 1970s, where ‘Beltin Bill’ brought power to a franchise that played its home games in a pitcher-friendly ballpark. Bill’s second career came as a well-liked and respected pre- and postgame television analyst, where on a nightly basis Sox fans saw his passion for the team, win or lose. Bill was a friend to many at the White Sox and around baseball, and his booming voice will be missed.”Melton is survived by his wife, Tess, and his two children, son Billy and daughter Jennifer.

For baseball enthusiasts, the MLB draft lottery has emerged as a captivating spectacle over the past three years. It has transformed from a relatively unknown event to one that holds the attention of fans worldwide. The ping pong balls now determine the fate of teams vying for the top picks, adding an element of excitement and unpredictability.

Uncover the Surprises of the 2025 MLB Draft Lottery

When Is The MLB Draft Lottery?

This year's draft lottery is scheduled to take place during the Winter Meetings in Dallas on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m. ET. It is a highly anticipated event that brings together teams and fans alike, as they await the results that could shape the future of their favorite franchises.

The Winter Meetings provide a unique backdrop for the lottery, with teams and executives gathering to discuss various aspects of the game. The draft lottery adds an extra layer of excitement to this already bustling event, as teams hope to secure a top pick and build their rosters for the future.

How To Stream The 2025 MLB Draft Lottery?

The event will be broadcast on MLB Network and streamed live on MLB.com, ensuring that fans from all over the world can tune in and witness the excitement. Whether you prefer to watch on television or stream online, there are multiple options available to ensure that you don't miss a moment of the action.

MLB Network provides comprehensive coverage of the draft lottery, with expert analysts and commentators providing insights and analysis throughout the event. MLB.com offers a live stream, allowing fans to follow the lottery in real-time and get the latest updates as they happen.

How Does The MLB Draft Lottery Work?

As part of the collective bargaining agreement signed in 2022, MLB implemented a draft lottery to address the issue of tanking. All eligible non-playoff teams are entered into the lottery, with odds determined by their standings. Ping pong balls are placed in an air-blown lottery machine, and a ball labeled with a number is produced every 15 seconds. Four balls are collected to create a four-digit code corresponding to a certain team.

The process is repeated until the top six lottery spots are filled. Once complete, the remaining lottery teams are slotted according to their original odds. This system ensures that teams with poorer records have a higher chance of winning the top pick, while also providing some level of fairness to all teams.

Which Teams Have The Best Odds?

The Rockies and Marlins enter the draft lottery with the best odds to win at 22.45% each, followed closely by the Angels at 17.96%. The Diamondbacks have the worst odds at just 0.20%. These odds are determined by a complex formula that takes into account various factors, including team records and standings.

It's important to note that the odds can change from year to year based on team performance. A team that has a poor record one year may improve the following year and see their odds decrease. Conversely, a team that has a strong season may see their odds increase for the next draft lottery.

Why Aren’t The White Sox & A’s Included In The Lottery?

Despite having poor records in 2024, neither the White Sox nor the Athletics are eligible to receive a lottery pick. The White Sox received a lottery pick in the 2024 draft and pay into revenue sharing, meaning they can't have lottery picks in back-to-back drafts. The Athletics, on the other hand, received lottery picks in the 2023 and 2024 drafts and receive revenue sharing, so they can't have lottery picks in three consecutive drafts.

This penalty is designed to prevent teams from intentionally tanking their seasons in order to secure a top pick. By limiting the number of consecutive lottery picks a team can receive, MLB aims to promote competitive balance and ensure that the best teams are rewarded on the field.

The Non-Lottery Teams And Their Draft Order

The non-lottery eligible teams, which include the eight postseason teams, have their draft order determined by a combination of postseason finish, regular season standings, and revenue sharing status. This year's draft order is as follows:19. Orioles20. Brewers21. Astros22. Braves23. Royals24. Tigers25. Padres26. Phillies27. Guardians28. Mets29. Yankees30. Dodgers

Each team's draft position is based on their performance during the regular season and their playoff results. The top teams in the standings have the first pick, while the bottom teams have the later picks. This system ensures that teams are rewarded for their success on the field and provides an opportunity for teams to rebuild and improve their rosters.

Who Are The Top Prospects Available For The 2025 Draft?

The 2025 draft class is shaping up to be stronger than the 2024 class, with a deep and solid group of high school prospects. While there is no clear-cut and obvious pick for the No. 1 overall spot yet, there are several talented players vying for that distinction.

In September, Baseball America published its updated ranking of the top 100 draft prospects for 2025. The list is topped by Jace LaViolette, a Texas A&M outfielder who combines a special blend of tools, athleticism, and college production as a left-handed hitter. His performance on the field has caught the attention of scouts and experts alike, and he is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the upcoming draft.

There are also other notable prospects in the 2025 draft class, including pitchers with impressive velocity and control, infielders with strong hitting and defensive skills, and outfielders with speed and power. The competition for the top picks is fierce, and it will be interesting to see how the draft unfolds.