We believe in preventive medicine, and the Badges for Baseball grant program is certainly that.
Sheriff’s offices in Allegany and Garrett counties will both receive $3,000 worth of baseball and softball equipment and $18,000 to cover program expenses from the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.
While playing baseball and softball after school at various locations in both counties, youngsters will be introduced to law enforcement officers in a way that’s designed to help them learn that the police are their friends — not their enemies.
A minimum of 100 youths will be served in each county. They will be identified through various sources as being at risk from living in areas of high crime or delinquency.
Youngsters will learn the basics of baseball and softball through the Ripken Foundation’s “Healthy Choices, Healthy Children” program that focuses on improving a child’s character through sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, communication, respect, work ethic and personal responsibility.
It’s a good start toward building good citizens.
