February 2012 - Parks & Recreation - 24

Who, What, Where & how Around the Parks

Patrolling the Infield
Badges for Baseball brings police and kids together in play
By Maureen Hannan

he idea is simple, direct,
and efficient: What if police officers engaged with
kids and teens not as distant figures of authority, but
instead as coaches and mentors? This is
the idea at the heart of the Cal Ripken, Sr.
Foundation's Badges for Baseball initiative-and the answer so far is clear. By
working directly with at-risk youth, law
enforcement officials are able to ease
community tensions in high-crime areas
and foster a more positive view of police
officers. That this is structured around
athletics is also key: Badges for Baseball
provides a much-needed physical outlet
while offering lessons in sportsmanship,
teamwork, discipline, and the value of a
healthy lifestyle.
And the program is making a difference. That is the refrain of the recreation
and youth development specialists running the programs in their cities-and
it seems to be the general consensus
among participating officers. For example, 91 percent of the Badges for Baseball
officers who responded to a recent survey saw program participants grow more
comfortable with law enforcement, and 80
percent said the youth who participated
were living healthier lifestyles in general
as a direct result of program involvement.
Badges for Baseball represents a rare
combination of national scope and local
impact: Since its inception in 2008 as Cal
Ripken, Sr. Foundation's signature program, Badges for Baseball, has served
thousands of children and teens across
many states. After the remarkable success of its pilot programs, Badges for
Baseball is now well established in Virginia, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. Badges for
Baseball has also begun working with

22 Parks & Recreation F E B R U A R Y

attorneys general in order to bring the
program to disadvantaged teens in Maryland, Connecticut, Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas, and Maine.
The profound impact of Badges for
Baseball was also echoed by Yvonne
Hollins, who directs the Boys and Girls
Club of Central Pennsylvania-and who
brought the Badges for Baseball program
to the city of Harrisburg. According to Hollins, the program helped address Harrisburg's urgent problems of a rising youth
crime rate and increased teen homicides.
" This partnership was a blessing...A
positive rapport coupled with positive
experiences with law enforcement impacts every member, staff, family, and
our community, " she says. " We do not
use the word 'cop' or 'cops'; we show respect by using the words 'police officer'
Bages for Baseball
participants learn lessons
in sportsmanship,
teamwork, discipline,
and healthy habits.

2 0 1 2 w w w . N R P A . O R G

and 'officer.' Our youth are more comfortable with our law enforcement personnel-this is evident in their involvement
and the respect demonstrated at the club,
home, school, and the community. " She
concludes that " our communities will be
safer as we participate in activities such
as Badges for Baseball. "
Steve Kast, Boys and Girls Club director in Newport News, Virginia, agrees
with Hollins-and emphasizes that the
reach of the program extends well beyond crime prevention. It is about inspiring and educating young people. " Our
youth often live in distressed, crime-ridden communities and otherwise would
not have these opportunities, " Kast comments. " The Badges for Baseball Program
has been a tool for us to use in our proactive measures against crime, gangs, and

February 2012 - Parks & Recreation

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