Attorney General Gansler and Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Team Up to Launch Badges for Baseball

Hey…if ol’ Seymour Siwoff can get a rinky dink Perkinsonian tin star. Why not!

Badges for Baseball is a crime prevention program designed to pair law enforcement professionals as mentors and coaches with youth. The program serves as a positive outlet for youth during out-of-school hours when they are most likely to commit or become victims of crime. Participating youth will learn the basics of baseball/softball while taking part in the Foundation’s character development program, Healthy Choices, Healthy Children.

Through the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention, the Office of Attorney General was awarded a Byrne Justice Recovery Assistance (BJRA) Act grant totaling $222,785. The grant funds must be used to replicate or expand programs aimed at preventing or reducing violent crime. The grant to the Office of Attorney General will be used to support the Maryland Badges for Baseball program. CRSF will provide all technical and programmatic support, bringing the total investment in Maryland’s young people most in need to more than $275,000.

“Badges for Baseball not only teaches kids the basic skills of the game, but they also learn critical life lessons in leadership, good sportsmanship, and integrity while developing positive relationships with law enforcement officers in their own communities,” said Attorney General Gansler.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Attorney General Gansler and the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention to expand Badges for Baseball across our home state,” said Steve Salem, Executive Director of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. “The support of Attorney General Gansler and the GOCCP has been tremendous; we’re looking forward to working with all of the Maryland Badges for Baseball sites to bring these important messages of respect, work ethic, leadership and perseverance to kids across the state.”