Chicago White Sox Host ACE Signing Day

It was signing day at Guaranteed Rate Field on Wednesday. No it wasn’t for a new player for the Chicago White Sox. Twenty local high school baseball players from the White Sox Amateur City Elite (ACE) program, officially signed letters of intent to play baseball at the collegiate level.

Ten players from the team won the high school championship over the summer and were also presented with World Series rings from the Chicago White Sox Wednesday evening. One of the founders of the program couldn’t be happier.

Nathan Durst, National Cross checker in the Scouting department began the ACE program with Justin Stone. Both went to Scott Reifert from the Chicago White Sox and pitched the ACE program, it began eleven years ago.

“When we started the program, it was just for high school baseball players,” Durst describes. ”After the first year we realized the amount of development that we were hoping to get wasn’t going to happen at the high school level but needed to start a 13 U team. We built the team after that each year. There is so much talent in the city but some of these players weren’t getting looks or opportunities that their ability warranted. With the ACE program if we built on the skill set of the player we got him exposure and give them opportunities. Looking around the room, Durst adds, “ look at today, the colleges that have given these players opportunity, that’s what we’re doing. Whatever that players ability, he would go to that school. If he was an SEC player he would be able to go to an SEC school like Jason Hodges who is going to University of Arkansas.”

Jason Hodges, who is the cousin of Craig Hodges a former player from the Chicago Bulls, is ready for the next level of ball. The Park Forest resident and senior at Marist was one of ten ACE players that were given World Series rings by the Chicago White Sox. Hodges received a scholarship for both academics and baseball.

“I'm hoping to get to Arkansas and put a spark in their line-up, they came in second in the college world series last year so hoping they’ll finish first this year,’ adds Hodges. “I’m looking forward in playing for that group of guys, they are like a family, I can’t wait to get there and begin my career as a Razorback” he adds.

Another ACE player that received a World Series ring from the Chicago White Sox was Angelo Cantelo, a Blue Island resident that is a senior at Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights. Cantelo was selected as MVP in the ACE baseball program and also received a college scholarship for baseball and academics.

“This is such an unbelievable experience,” Cantelo said. “After all these years of playing ball to get a commit and signing to Lewis University to play baseball. I can’t wait, the coaches are great, the players are great I’m looking forward in getting there and winning some games. I want to add that Marian Catholic and the ACE program got me to where I’m at today.”

According to the Chicago White Sox this year’s event moves the total number of student-athletes who will go on to higher education institutions to more than 180 participants since 2007. Twenty-four ACE alumni have been selected in the MLB draft.

Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox shortstop joined in for the evening as he spoke about his story and gave advice to the ACE players. Laurence Holmes, from the 670 The Score was emcee for the evening.

Local high school baseball players from the Chicago White Sox ACE team sign that signed letters of intent at Guaranteed Rate Field were Michael Bolton from Brother Rice,Benji Brokemond from Brother Rice, Cameron Bufford from Marian Catholic, Angelo Cantelo from Marian Catholic, Kendal Ewell from Marist, DJ Gladney from Illiana Christian, Brandon Green from Kenwood Academy, Jason Hodges from Marist, Deven Jones from Gwendolyn Brooks, Pierce Jones from Marian Catholic, Brandon Laux from Brother Rice, Ryan Nelson from Montini Catholic, Lawrence Noble from Gwendolyn Brooks, Justice Page from Lindblom Math & Science Academy, Henry Perry from Harlan Community Academy, Kendell Pettis from Brother Rice, Jacob Schroeder from Homewood-Flossmoor, Wendell Smith from Marist, Brandon Tyler from Hammond High and Nic Vitiritti from Mount Carmel.

One of the ACE coaches lives for his players. Marcus Rodgers who grew up in Englewood fights for his players success.

“This is amazing,” said Coach Rodgers. “This is a special group. We only get a group one year, I’ve had the opportunity to coach these guys for two years.”

Rodgers has taken the team to win the high school championship the Senior RBI division this year. The RBI World Series has been around for twenty five years.

“The willingness for them to listen, learn and get better has been tremendous for me as well. These guys have some bright futures on and off the baseball field.”

Coach Rodgers will return to the Chicago White Sox ACE program to coach the high school freshman team. “We’ve already started with our Winter workouts. The White Sox do an amazing job of rewarding the kids for their hard work. To win the RBI World Series is a big deal. This is the first time winning at the senior division.”

Coach Rodgers remembers the game well.

“The RBI Championship game was just a testament of how hard our guys work,” he explains. “We were down four to nothing in the sixth inning, they never gave up. We ended up winning seven to four.”

The love of baseball stirs passion for Coach Rodgers.

“Growing up in Englewood, baseball was my outlet. I was able to go to school because of baseball and academics. To be able to come back and pay it forward is very humbling for me. I’ve been with the ACE program for six summers, I’m not going anywhere. These guys challenge me to be better and be a great role model for them.

“Baseball is the game of life,” adds Coach Rodgers.

To find out more about the Chicago White Sox ACE program, visit the Chicago White Sox website at www.mlb.com/whitesox under the Community page.