MVP Tournament improves visibility for young black players.
![Greg Goodwin Had A Point To Prove](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/6245/235516/59830a3d698b6/Greg-Goodwin-Had-A-Point-To-Prove.jpg)
Greg Goodwin was tired of watching the number of African-Americans in the big leagues dwindle annually. He was fed up with hearing people talk about the declining interest African-Americans had in the national pastime.
Instead of moaning and groaning, though, Goodwin, the long-time baseball coach at Redan High, outside Atlanta, decided to do something about it.
“We started hearing about how black kids were not playing baseball, and we knew that wasn’t true,” Goodwin said. “A few of us decided, ‘Let’s put a tournament together.’ We thought we would do it a couple of years and be through with it.”
So much for that idea. The 15th annual MVP Tournament took place in mid-July on the campus of Georgia State in Atlanta. Tournament organizers hold out hope for the future, encouraged by interest from college coaches and professional scouts from the Southeast.
“That’s MVP—Mentoring Viable Prospects,” Goodwin said. “It kept growing and growing. We had so much support. It is truly a grassroots effort.”
This story is from the August 04 2017 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 04 2017 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/0Im5_7R-N1716983186325/HOW-THE-MAJORS-HAVE-CHANGED-FOR-YOUNG-PLAYERS.jpg)
HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.
![ORGANIZATION REPORTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/jD4Tp2H2n1716980923576/ORGANIZATION-REPORTS.jpg)
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
Blaze Alexander entered spring training as a long shot to make the team, but there he was on March 28, starting and batting seventh in the D-backs’ Opening Day lineup.
![BLAST FROM THE PAST](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/2_0wqYiq71716978663925/BLAST-FROM-THE-PAST.jpg)
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Louisville Slugger makes Prime bat 30% harder by dipping into 1902 company patent
![UNFINISHED BUSINESS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/uKJoNEDEi1716980728602/UNFINISHED-BUSINESS.jpg)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
After narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament last year, UC Irvine is determined to finish strong
![MORE HARM THAN GOOD?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/yfRq22Krc1716980624708/MORE-HARM-THAN-GOOD.jpg)
MORE HARM THAN GOOD?
Dramatically scaling back young pitchers’ workloads has failed to keep them healthier
![GEM COLLECTOR](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/_hVjkXXmQ1716980363975/GEM-COLLECTOR.jpg)
GEM COLLECTOR
In just four years, Diamond Baseball Holdings has become the most powerful owner ever in Minor League Baseball. What is the plan for their 33 teams—and counting?
![LIFE AFTER AFFILIATED BALL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/ylCXqqS111716979989550/LIFE-AFTER-AFFILIATED-BALL.jpg)
LIFE AFTER AFFILIATED BALL
For many minor league teams that lost their MLB affiliations, it has been business as usual— with some unexpected benefits
![EARNING POWER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1705476/gOKVU6inr1716978952320/EARNING-POWER.jpg)
EARNING POWER
A dramatic upgrade to playing conditions for minor leaguersincluding pay, housing and nutrition has made pro baseball economically viable for all players
![NOBODY'S PERFECT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1645297/iQO9HKEHG1711457625484/NOBODYS-PERFECT.jpg)
NOBODY'S PERFECT
No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has one flaw in an otherwise airtight profile
![ORGANIZATION REPORTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6245/1645297/x0Uu3Rq9E1711456602784/ORGANIZATION-REPORTS.jpg)
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
At nearly every level of his professional career, outfielder Colton Cowser has taken time to acclimate. His major league debut last season was no different.