Rendering of proposed youth development park on the old Memorial Stadium site in Baltimore
Cal, Sr. was an integral part of the Baltimore Orioles organization for 37 years—a career that included coaching two of his sons, Bill and Cal, Jr. While the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation serves kids all across the country, the Foundation recognizes the need in our hometown community. By building state-of-the-art ballparks in Baltimore City neighborhoods and providing access to high-quality youth development programs, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation will give young people in Baltimore opportunities to learn, play, and grow in a safe environment.
Our goal is to develop multiple ballparks in Baltimore City. Each Youth Development Park will be personalized to meet the needs within the community for those who live and play there. The first of the fields to be developed is in partnership with the Y of Central Maryland on the old Memorial Stadium site. To make this possible, the campaign needs to raise $1,700,000 for construction and initial programming expenses per site. Campaign Chair
Senator Francis X. Kelly, Kelly & Associates Insurance Group
Vice-Chairs
Don Kirk, Windsor Electric Company
Francis X. Kelly, III, Kelly & Associates Insurance Group
Each field will feature a multi-purpose artificial turf playing surface and elements of several major league ballparks.
Our Youth Development Parks will support the Foundation’s baseball and softball themed programs including Badges for Baseball, a multi-faceted mentoring program that partners with local law enforcement as coaches and mentors.
Each facility will offer features to encourage and support daily physical fitness activities for the entire community including a running/walking track if possible, and multiple exercise/character education stations. The stations will deliver a Cal Ripken, Sr. message about leadership, respect, and teamwork.
Each facility may be designed to host family and community outings depending on the needs and desires of our partner organizations. The sites may be equipped with a picnic pavilion and/or play area for younger children.
Our Youth Development Parks will promote positive values. Teaching youth to value themselves and others will create productive attitudes that can help them avoid negative peer pressure and grow into caring, responsible adults.
Each Youth Development Park will be personalized to meet the needs within each Baltimore community for those who live and play there. We are working together to create an environment of excitement and one of great pride for kids today and generations to come.
To make a donation, click here, or contact Carrie LeBow, Sr. Director of Development, at clebow@ripkenfoundation.org or (410) 823-0808 ext. 190 to learn more and make this part of your legacy!
