Virginia AG McDonnell Sends Off Virginia Children to Cal Ripken Camp

Children Participating in ‘Badges for Baseball’ Program; Virginia First State to Implement Program; Brings Together Law Enforcement and At-Risk Youth

Aug. 21, 2007 -- Richmond - Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell, clipboard in hand, stood in the parking lot of the Metro Richmond Boys & Girls Clubs today, calling out the names of Clubs from across Virginia and saying goodbye to the children heading to the Cal Ripken Academy in Aberdeen, Maryland as part of the “Badges for Baseball” program.

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The Attorney General was joined at the send off by Steve Kast, President of the Virginia Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, and Chief Professional Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula; and Todd McFarlane, President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond. Eighty-four children from Virginia will attend the camp.

“‘Badges for Baseball’ is the kind of proactive, community building program that we need more of in Virginia,” McDonnell said. “The children heading to the Cal Ripken Academy are not only in for a great week, they are learning the lessons that are key to a great life. Through this program, they are learning the game of baseball. But, far more importantly, they are also learning the lifelong lessons of character, integrity, sportsmanship, and leadership. And they are learning to trust law enforcement officers, and to see them as friends and neighbors.”

McDonnell continued, “Public safety must start with tough sentences for criminals, but it cannot end there. We must also improve programs for prevention and intervention. Our office has put a focus on community-based progams aimed at building character, like “Badges for Baseball”, GRIP, Boys & Girls Clubs and other innovative initiatives. Every child in Virginia deserves the opportunity to succeed. When children take advantage of these opportunities, our entire Commonwealth benefits.”

Cal Ripken, Jr., who was unable to be in attendance, added, “The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation is excited to be teaming up with Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell and local law enforcement agencies to provide coaches, role models and mentors to help kids make the right choices in life and give them every advantage to grow into caring, healthy and successful adults.”

Steve Kast, of the Virginia Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, noted, “The partnership with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, the Attorney General’s Office and State Law Enforcement Agencies to implement “Badges for Baseball” has allowed youth members of Virginia Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs their first opportunity to participate in baseball. “Badges for Baseball” helps them make healthy choices and teaches them values that can serve as a moral compass to guide them through their lives.”

About “Badges for Baseball” in Virginia

Virginia is the national model for the “Badges for Baseball” program. One year ago representatives of the 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 history of innovation with public safety programs, and success with prevention and intervention initiatives, the Foundation identified the Commonwealth as the best state in which to inaugurate “Badges for Baseball.” Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell was contacted and the Office of the Attorney General and the Ripken, Sr. Foundation began working on the roll out of the program.

The program incorporates the “Healthy Choices, Healthy Children” curriculum developed by Cal Ripken, Jr. and the University of Pittsburgh. Through baseball, softball, and “quickball” children learn about character, leadership, integrity, smart choices, and healthy living. This year 15 Virginia Boys & Girls Clubs participated in the program, with 2,328 children taking part. The Ripken, Sr. Foundation, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice, provided over $240,000 in funding, plus equipment and teaching manuals. Much of the athletic equipment has been provided by Nike.

Based on the success of the program in Virginia this year, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has launched “Badges for Baseball” in his state. Alabama, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Connecticut are all considering launching the program through their Attorney General’s offices as well.

The organizations participating in the inaugural year of “Badges for Baseball” in Virginia were:

* 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 Shenandoah Valley
* Boys & Girls Clubs of Emporia/Greenville
* Boys & Girls Clubs of Harrisonburg/Rockingham Co.
* Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia
* Boys & Girls Clubs of the Danville Area
* Boys & Girls Clubs of the VA Peninsula
* Brunswick County Sheriff's Office
* Chilhowie Little League
* Fort Monroe Youth Services
* Langley AFB Boys & Girls Club
* Quantico USMC Boys & Girls Club

Law enforcement agencies providing coaches and mentors were:

* National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives
* Fraternal Order of Police
* Virginia State Police Association
* Virginia Sheriffs Association
* U.S. Marshals Office
* Virginia Association of Police Chiefs

About the “Badges for Baseball” Camp at the Ripken Academy

Eighty-four children from Virginia are participating in this week’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 Boys & Girls Clubs. 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.

About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (From their Website)

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2001 by members of the Ripken family in memory of their patriarch Cal, Sr. The Foundation works to create baseball and softball programs and facilities that positively impact disadvantaged youth by combining the principles represented by the Ripken name, the power of Cal, Jr. as a modern day hero and role model, and the universal appeal of baseball. It strives to provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences that use the magic of the big leagues to inspire kids to be the best that they can be … to dream a dream that someday they can achieve great things.
However, the challenge is sizable. Today, more than 7 million American kids struggle with poverty, obesity, poor quality of education, the lack of adult role models, or the persistent presence of drugs and violence. Through baseball and softball, the Foundation works with kids in need to instill leadership qualities, a strong work ethic, sportsmanship and healthy habits.

Source: Virginia Attorney General