Roots to Home Project Inaugural Clinic Event a huge success!

The Roots to Home Project, a mission-driven baseball initiative founded by professional athletes Ivan Johnson and Rece Hinds, hosted its inaugural Roots to Home Baseball Clinics this weekend at Gresham Park in Atlanta, Georgia.
The one-day event –featured two specialized sessions:
Rising Stars Clinic (Ages 10–14): 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Top Prospects Clinic (Ages 15–18): 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Each clinic included a warm up, professional-level baseball training in hitting, fielding, base running, and baseball IQ, as well as mentorship and guidance on character development, teamwork, and preparation for higher levels of play.  Other college and professional players that attended to help Ivan and Rece with the drills at the clinic included:  Baron Radcliff, Reggie Pruitt, Makenzie Stills, Omari Daniel, Bernard Moon, Kyle Henley, Isiah Gilliam, Akil Baddoo, Termarr Johnson, Tervell Johnson, and Tervant Johnson.

Dedicated to giving back to the communities that raised them, Johnson and Hinds created Roots to Home to provide free, high-quality baseball instruction along with life skills coaching, mentorship, and college preparation for young athletes—particularly those from underserved areas. The program’s goal is to equip participants with tools for success both on the field and beyond the diamond. 

The Roots to Home Project is made possible through the generous support of its presenting sponsors and community partners, including the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, MLBPA Players Trust, Cincinnati Reds, Franklin Sports, Northside Hospital, Signature FD, Keilah Barikos Charity Fund, The Hand & Upper Extremity Center of Georgia – Dr. Lourie,  Georgia Power, Adidas, Mizuno, Aces Baseball, Henri’s Bakery and Deli, Prep Baseball Georgia, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks, Chick-fil-A Glenwood Place | Chick-fil-A Ponce & Boulevard, Publix, DeKalb County Parks and Recreation, Niagara Water, Good Game Foundation, and Bruce Bolt. 

“The Players Trust is proud to support Ivan and Reece in launching their inaugural clinic,” said Amy Hever, Executive Director of the Players Trust. “We are committed to empowering our athletes in any way they want to give back to communities that helped shape them. By combining baseball instruction with mentorship and life-success skills, Roots to Home is creating lifelong pathways for young student athletes to thrive on and off the field.”

Parents that attended also were invited to be a part of a special information session led by Becky Abernathy of Devine Baseball, titled “Playing Baseball in College and Beyond." This 30-minute session covered essential topics such as scholarship and roster realities, academic priorities, the college recruiting process, and how young athletes can stand out to coaches.