Redan Wins State Championship Baseball Title

Redan High School's baseball team scored a huge victory this week when it defeated state champion Marist in a best-of-three series.

The Raiders make it into the history books by becoming the first all-black team from metro Atlanta to win a state championship in the Georgia High School Association, according to the AJC. It is the first ever for Redan in baseball and the 10th by a DeKalb County public school.

"Hopefully this (state championship) is the start of some improvement on and off the field," said Redan's coach Marvin Pruitt, referring to declining interest in baseball among young blacks.

Pruitt worries that DeKalb schools are more focused on basketball, football, and track and field. "We're a little behind," he said. 

Facilities are another troubling issue, Pruitt said. There's a shortage of lighted fields and indoor batting cages. Lack of resources and financial support are also reasons why blacks shun the game.

"We need something to show kids that there is a future in baseball."