“Badges for Baseball”

 

 

Virginia is the national model for the “Badges for Baseball” program. Two years ago representatives of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation met with Department of Justice officials to discuss ways to bring programs run by the Foundation to at-risk youth. After that meeting, the “Badges for Baseball” program was created. Thanks to Virginia’s proven track-record of innovation with public safety programs, and its success with prevention and intervention initiatives, the Foundation identified the Commonwealth as the best state in which to inaugurate “Badges for Baseball” as a statewide initiative. Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell was asked to take the lead and coordinate the law enforcement partners. The Office of the Attorney General worked with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and rolled out the program in 2007.

 

 

Following a tremendous first year, the program has returned to Virginia for another season. Since Virginia’s first successful year, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in partnership with the legislature, launched “Badges for Baseball” in their respective states. The Attorneys General of North Carolina, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Arkansas, Maryland, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Texas, and Connecticut are also working to establish the program. In addition to these statewide programs, “Badges for Baseball” is being provided in communities across America, at a total of 134 sites nationwide.

 

The program incorporates the Healthy Choices, Healthy Children curriculum developed from the Ripken philosophy. Through baseball, softball, and “Quickball,” children learn about character, leadership, integrity, smart choices, and healthy living. This year, Boys & Girls Clubs across Virginia, as well as two police departments and two sheriff’s offices, were awarded grants to run the “Badges for Baseball” program, with 1,800 children taking part at 16 sites. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice, provided more than $198,693 in funding, plus equipment and Healthy Choices, Healthy Children program materials.

 

The organizations participating in the second year of “Badges for Baseball” in Virginia are:

 

    * Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond

    * Boys & Girls Club of Bristol

    * Boys & Girls Club of Fauquier

    * Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg

    * Boys & Girls Club of Northern Neck 

    * Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia

    * Boys & Girls Clubs of the Danville Area

    * Boys & Girls Clubs of the VA Peninsula

    * City of Norfolk Police Department

    * Petersburg Police Department

    * Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office

    * Stafford County Sheriff’s Office

 

Law enforcement agencies providing coaches and mentors are:

 

    * National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives

    * Fraternal Order of Police

    * Virginia State Police Association

    * Virginia Sheriffs’ Association

    * U.S. Marshals Service

    * Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police

    * Local police departments

 

 

About the Ripken Academy Camp

 

Sixty-two children from Virginia are participating in this summer’s camp. All costs are covered by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. Children were chosen for participation based on their interest in the program and personal achievements at their respective program sites. They will stay at the Ripken Academy on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Aberdeen, Maryland, and spend the week playing baseball and continuing to learn from the Healthy Choices, Healthy Children curriculum.

 

Date Published: 2008-08-20 06:16:47

Section: Sports,