Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and officers from the Dayton Police Department participated in a July 12 clinic for children involved in the Badges for Baseball program.
Badges for Baseball was started in Ohio by DeWine and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation in 2012 to help at-risk youth and prevent juvenile crime. About 75 children ages 10 to 14 from Dayton, Lima and Hamilton picked up some playing tips from the Baltimore Orioles great during the event at the Boys and Girls Club of Dayton.
By pairing police and kids playing baseball and softball, the program builds new relationships between youth and law enforcement. It has reached more than 26,000 youngsters in 16 states.