BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) and Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) today announced that West Baltimore will be home to the Foundation’s 59th Youth Development Park. Eddie Murray Field at BGE Park will be home to James Mosher Baseball, the oldest continuously operating African-American youth baseball league in the country. Youth Development Parks encourage healthy physical activity and provide mentorship opportunities through youth sports and enrichment programs.
In addition to BGE’s financial support, the Park is made possible thanks to additional financial support from Bon Secours Hospital, which will also develop after school programming at the field with Baltimore City Public Schools. Additional supporters include Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, The Cupid Foundation, Under Armour, The State of Maryland and Fields, Inc.
“It’s crucial that we provide our youth with opportunities to play, learn and grow in a positive environment,” said Baseball Hall of Famer and Ripken Foundation Vice Chairman Cal Ripken, Jr. “Kids need caring adults who can teach them important life lessons like teamwork, respect and personal responsibility; they need guidance to be shown that there are other options besides negative influences. It’s great to provide the kids in West Baltimore with a safe place to play and learn.”
Named in honor of Baseball Hall of Famer and Baltimore Orioles legend Eddie Murray, the youth size baseball field will host after-school programming in addition to James Mosher Baseball. These programs will help keep kids safe by providing a positive outlet, mentorship opportunities, and a variety of activities that teach life skills.
“BGE and Baltimore have been intertwined since the 1800’s and we are extremely proud to partner with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and provide this legacy gift to the city on our 200th anniversary,” said Calvin G. Butler, Jr., chief executive officer for BGE. “BGE shares CRSF’s mission to positively impact the community, especially the lives of young people. Investing in our youth in the communities that need it most will provide the foundation for growth and strengthen Baltimore.”
Tom Geddes, Chief Executive Officer of Plank Industries added, “James Mosher Field is one of West Baltimore’s best community assets and we are excited to support this renovation. In addition to Under Armour’s donation, Kevin Plank personally contributed to this project because of the importance of giving our kids great, safe places to play.”
Eddie Murray Field at BGE Park will be a state-of-the art facility featuring a synthetic turf baseball diamond equipped with dugouts, a backstop, and a digital scoreboard. Located behind James Mosher Elementary, the field will be gifted to and maintained by the Baltimore City Public School system. BGE’s support of this and other corporate citizenship programs is made possible through the use of Exelon shareholder dollars.
In 2015, the Ripken Foundation impacted over 1 million underserved kids nationwide through its Youth Development Park initiative and youth mentoring programs.
About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF)
For the last 15 years, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has worked tirelessly to implement youth development programs that directly address the problems facing at-risk youth in distressed circumstances across the country. Inspired by one of the most iconic baseball families, the Ripken’s created the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to honor the legacy of its family patriarch, longtime coach, and mentor, Cal Ripken, Sr. The Ripken Foundation use sports-themed programs to bring police officers, youth partners and underserved kids ages 8 to 14 together on a level playing field to learn invaluable life skills.
