Houston – Major League Baseball is set to host their 5th annual MLB Urban Invitational in Houston,
Texas on Friday, February 17 – Sunday, February 19, 2012. Grambling State University along with
four other historically black colleges and universities has been chosen to participate in the
tournament.

The HBCU's participating in the invitational are Alabama State University, Prairie View A&M
University, Southern University and Texas Southern University. This tournament will feature the
most-ever HBCU's in the history of this tournament. NCAA Division I school, University of
California, Irvine will also participate in the tournament. Jimmie Lee Solomon, Executive Vice
President, Baseball Development, Major League Baseball states, “We are thrilled to be working with
the Houston Astros in bringing these six outstanding programs to Houston for this year's Urban
Invitational.”

The primary tournament site, along with games on Friday, February 17th  and Sunday, February 19th
will be played at the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park. Games on
Saturday, February 18th  will be played at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros. Two of the
contests will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com.

In addition to the baseball games, there will be a college fair at Minute Maid Park for high school
students to have the opportunity to learn more about higher education. There will be over 20
colleges and universities participating. The college fair will begin at 11:00 am on Saturday,
February 18th. There will also be a Battle of the Bands.

Grambling is scheduled to play:   Friday, February 17th  vs. Texas Southern University, 6:00p.m. at
the Houston  Astros  MLB  Urban  Youth  Academy  at  Sylvester  Turner  Park;  Saturday,  February  
18th   vs. Alabama State University, 11:00 a.m. at the Minute Maid Park; Sunday, February 19th  vs.
Prairie View A&M University, 5:30p.m. at the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester
Turner Park.

“The Houston Astros are extremely excited about hosting the Urban Invitational in Houston this
year,” said Daryl Wade, Manager of the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy.  Wade also states,
“This event gives the organization a chance to reach out to inner-city high school youth with a
message that seeking education after high school is attainable for anyone. The high quality of
baseball, music and schools at our college fair over the weekend, should give these students the
idea that there are many routes that can be taken to reach that next step in their lives. Whether
it's through baseball, music, academics or all three, these kids have a chance, and we're happy to
support such a cause.”

Tickets to the games and events at Minute Maid Park will be available to the general public for
$5.00 and parking for Minute Maid Park is also available for $5.00. There is a special available
for $10.00, which will allow access to the ballpark and provide a concession coupon for a hot dog
and soda. High
School students and below will be admitted to the ballpark for free with a valid student ID. Games
at the
Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park will be available on game day for
a suggested $5.00 donation. Children 12 and under, and any student 18 and under with a valid
student ID, will be admitted free. All proceeds from the ticket donations at the Academy will
benefit the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Foundation.

Major League Baseball is committed to addressing the issue of African-American participation in
professional baseball through its various community and multicultural programs. With the three
Urban Youth Academies operating in Compton, California, Houston, Texas and Gurabo, Puerto Rico; one
under construction in New Orleans, Louisiana; two others announced in Hialeah, Florida and
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and additional soon-to-be announced facilities, MLB has continued to
pledge resources to bring America's pastime to young people in urban communities. HBCUs have long
offered quality educational and athletic programs and have produced outstanding baseball players.

In just its first year, the Houston Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy has registered approximately 700
young athletes, conducted ten one-day baseball clinics and five week-long summer day camps, and
currently provides daily Major League-style instruction. The Academy has hosted 150 games including
NCAA, high school, Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI and Jr. RBI contests. Information about
the Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy is available at Astros.com or by calling 281-960-9166.

-GSU-