April 9, 2008

Baltimore, MD - The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation 2008 Play Ball Tour for Kids will stop in Jackson, Mississippi on April 11th. Youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Mississippi will participate in a youth baseball clinic conducted by staff from the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. Attorney General Jim Hood will kick off the event and will be joined by several members of the Mississippi State Legislature.

The event will take place at the JSU Softball Field from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

"All too often the only time a young person interacts with law enforcement it is in a negative way. What is so exciting about the Badges for Baseball program is that it gives law enforcement an opportunity to interact with youth in a positive way. As the state's top law enforcement officer, I can't think of a better program that brings law enforcement and youth together in a positive way," said State of Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood.

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation's Play Ball Tour for Kids is a national 17-city tour designed to generate excitement and awareness about the Cal Ripken Sr, Foundation programs and to expose kids to the game of baseball and "The Ripken Way".

"We are excited to have the 2008 Play Ball Tour for Kids stop in Jackson, Mississippi to celebrate the launch of our statewide initiative," commented Cal Ripken, Jr. "The leadership of Mississippi has embraced our programs, and we're thrilled to be able to impact the lives of so many deserving children."

In conjunction with the Mississippi Office of the Attorney General and the Mississippi State Legislature, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation launched the Mississippi Badges for Baseball program in 2008. Badges for Baseball is a community crime-prevention initiative that uses baseball and softball to prevent juvenile delinquency and crime by encouraging healthy out-of-school activities. The program aims to improve relationships between law enforcement officials and youth by pairing law enforcement professionals as mentors and coaches with community youth. In 2008 the jointly funded program will provide cash grants, equipment, training, and clinics valued at $400,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi, Police Athletic Leagues, and law enforcement partners across the state. Rep. Johnny Stringer, Chairman of the Mississippi House Appropriations Committee said, "The Mississippi Legislature is pleased to be a part of supporting such a unique program. Badges for Baseball, through the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, brings law enforcement together with our young people to help guide them to positive life choices and to promote community policing efforts."

About the Play Ball Tour for Kids
Since its inception in 2005, the Play Ball Tour for Kids has donated over $1.8 million in funding and equipment to community based organizations with the goal of promoting healthy decision making and character building activities through baseball. The Tour has impacted 19,000 youth in 64 communities since 2005. The 2008 Play Ball Tour for Kids will be conducted by Foundation staff members in 17 communities during the month of April.

About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation uses baseball and softball taught "The Ripken Way" to develop character and give disadvantaged youth opportunities to succeed. Founded in 2001 by members of the Ripken family in memory of their patriarch Cal, Sr., the Foundation works to create programs that positively impact disadvantaged youth through active community partnerships with America's most successful youth service organizations. The Ripken Foundation uses the baseball and softball field to help teach life's critical lessons such as perseverance, loyalty, nutrition, hard work, and leadership to young people residing in disadvantaged communities.