Oakland, CA Launches Major League Baseball-Affiliated Youth Program
2008 is Oakland's Inaugural Year of Internationally Successful "Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities" (RBI) Program
Oakland, CA (PRWEB) April 22, 2008 -- The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland (www.bgcoakland.org) in partnership with the Oakland Athletics, the Junior Giants, the Peralta College Foundation and the Oakland Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce that 2008 is the inaugural year of the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program in Oakland.
From its inception in 1989 through the 2007 season, RBI has grown from a local program for boys in South Central Los Angeles to an international campaign encompassing more than 200 cities and as many as 120,000 male and female participants a year. Major League Baseball (MLB) assumed administration of RBI in 1991 and jointly manages the program with Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Working in concert with various Bay Area baseball youth leagues, Oakland's RBI Academy will drive one central effort to:
| | - Increase participation and interest in baseball regardless of skill level, giving Oakland youth a fun, challenging, well-supported, and well-organized activity.
- Help youth use what they learn on the field in organized team sports to increase their enjoyment and achievement in the classroom.
- Increase the skill level of youths inclined towards baseball.
|
"This is an exciting opportunity for the participants in the program both on an athletic and an academic level," notes Pelton Stewart, Senior Vice President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland. "The program is open to both boys and girls, ages 10-19, regardless of baseball skill level."
Registration for the program is May 1st - May 31st and play takes place June 28th - August 30th. For more information please contact Lou Butler at (510) 395-4753. The program is seeking support either by coaches to volunteer or donations to assist with transportation costs, uniforms, equipment and trip costs to the Babe Ruth World Series in August.
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland's mission is to develop our community's youth into positive contributors to society. Now in its 68th year, the Club continues to provide safe places to learn and grow, opportunities for ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, life-enhancing programs, and other character development experiences each year for over 2,500 girls and boys, ages 6 to 17. The organization supplements the endeavors of our families and our schools, and plans to serve a minimum of 5,000 Oakland youth in the near future. If you believe in what we do and would like to show your support you may do so by visiting www.bgcoakland.org >> donate now.
###
|
