Heyward Indispensable to Baseball, says Aaron | IXGAMES

Hank Aaron is confident about the skills of rookie Jason Heyward, saying that the player can help spruce up excitement in baseball within the black community. Indispensable to baseball This Atlanta Braves player known for being stellar himself is quoted by The Associated Press on Tuesday as saying that Heyward, being black, can be a remedy to what has been ailing the baseball league for a long time. Aaron is concerned with the fact that the game does not have too many African-American players. It was during the time of the spring training that he voiced out these concerns again. Although the problem has been there for a long time, it’s not something that has already been addressed, as far as baseball is concerned. Currently, Aaron is pumped about promoting the newest African-American asset for the Braves. Heyward made his debut on Monday, complete with an impressive three-run homer on his very first swing. Aaron is convinced that the rookie, no more than 20 years old, can make a huge difference in the field of baseball. Aaron has expressed immense excitement over these developments.  Other people are excited about the prospect as well. Accordingly, Andrew Young, former Atlanta mayor and civil rights promoter, is just as enthusiastic, saying he cannot wait to be introduced to Heyward. The news has reached the black community as well, and people are beginning to see another dimension to baseball. Bringing the excitement back Even at his age, 76, Aaron admits that the entire buzz has contributed even more to his enthusiasm. Aaron has said that Heyward can very well pull in the excitement and bring more to Atlanta, as well as for his fellow African-American players. He hopes that baseball can have many more Jason Heywards in the future. Awareness on baseball Not only is Heyward an excellent rookie, but he is known to promote baseball as well. The Atlanta Braves has formed a program called L.E.A.D., or Launch, Explore, Advise, and Direct. This program seeks to provide free coaching to middle school and high school students in Atlanta, and Heyward is a staunch supporter. The program also aims at helping students secure college scholarships through baseball. It’s no secret how the NBA has secured more black athletes compared to the MLB. Aaron has admitted that his first impression of Heyward had been that the player looked more like a basketball player than a baseball star.  However, Aaron has also noticed how Heyward carries his huge frame of 6 ft. and 5 inches and 240 pounds quite remarkably. In an interview, Aaron said that “He carries his frame well and he is able to move around as gracefully as an athlete. Gliding along and catching a lot of fly balls have never been a problem for him.”