RBI summer camp wants more African-American children

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) -Studies show that physical activity sets children up for success.

This is according to George McCanless, the President & CEO of United Way of Central Georgia.

Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) summer baseball camp is how the Parks and Recreation Department, United Way, Boys and Girls Club of Central Georgia, and the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Play Ball initiative plan on helping children being successful.

“Our goal really with this program is to produce more high school graduates and more children that are college and career ready,” McCanless said.

He said this camp is not just about baseball.

McCanless said the program is about giving children a chance to have higher grades, a lower dropout rate, reduced truancy, and lower crime rates.

Jeff Battcher, Administrator for RBI Program in Macon, said he wants to recruit more African American children to this camp.

He said the RBI was created to get more African American children involved in baseball.

“Major League Baseball is very concerned about there not being enough African American kids playing baseball,” Battcher said. “I mean to be blunt, that’s the issue.”

Battcher said the program was started 20 years ago. He said the cost of registration fees and equipment can be very expensive so it was important to get help African American children.

He said sports can play an important role in a child’s life.

“I played baseball right here on this field and I know what sports mean to my life,” Battcher said. “I grew up very simply and I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for sports.”

Battcher said baseball is the reason he was able to go to college. He wants other children to get that opportunity.

Battcher said the goal of the camp is to get children interested in baseball and become a part of the RBI program in Macon.

“I know that sports can give a lot to kids if you take advantage of the coaches, the mentoring, the scholarship opportunity,” he said.

The camp is expecting over 200 children at Luther Williams Field on June 10th.

The one day camp will consists of six drills designed to teach children the fundamentals of baseball.

Battcher said more coaches and volunteers are welcomed to come and help. If you are interested, you should show up at 8:00 a.m.

The camp begins at 9:00 a.m and ends at 1:00 p.m. Admission is free and boys and girls ages 5-17 are welcomed.

Registration will continue until the day of.