Cardinals Care, the philanthropic group of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, has awarded a $2,000 grant to Missouri Military Academy for the purchase of an Iron Mike MP-5 pitching machine.

This grant helps support MMA’s strategic plan to re-energize athletic programs and infrastructure, thereby improving cadet life.

The pitching machine will be used indoors in MMA’s Alain M. Garcia Almada ’06 Field House, in conjunction with MMA’s indoor batting cage. By using this machine at practice, cadets will be able to focus and improve their hitting techniques and form, as well as improve their timing and batting accuracy.

This grant continues the Academy’s commitment to improve the MMA Colonels baseball program. In 2018, MMA parents Rob and Katherine English made a financial gift to MMA for the purchase of an on-field roll-away hitting cage, a collapsible indoor hitting cage and three dozen pitching machine balls. In 2019, legacy family Jeanne and Chris Gentry ’88 made a gift for new construction and improvement of existing MMA baseball facilities, including upgrades to the baseball field and team seating.

Additionally, several MMA alumni have pledged small gifts totaling roughly $64,000 in sum to support the baseball program’s improvement.

“These commitments to the Academy help enhance our cadets' experience by providing resources and an environment that they can thrive in,” said MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret). “Athletics are a key component of MMA’s method to help young men reach their full potential. I’m thankful to our community and partners for coming together to make a significant, positive impact on our cadets.”

While MMA already meets all the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) standards for play, work is underway to upgrade the Academy’s Brad Calvert ‘79 Field to comply with college standards. By doing this, MMA will enhance the overall athletic experience cadets and fans have at each home game and expand opportunities for the Academy to host more athletic events during the summer months.

In addition to recent upgrades, MMA plans to purchase a Yamaha Sound System and a Nevco Model 1612 PC Baseball Scoreboard. To make a gift to support more baseball program upgrades, contact director of parent and alumni engagement, Cassandra Brooks at 573-581-1776 ext. 222 or via email at cassandra.brooks@missourimilitaryacademy.org.