RBI (Returning Baseball to the Inner-City)

The RBI (Returning Baseball to the Inner-city) program is the Memphis Redbirds' implementation of RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), a program sponsored by Major League Baseball in an attempt to renew interest in baseball in inner-city neighborhoods. The Memphis RBI program helps inner-city children, gives them safe summer activity uniforms, equipment, daily lunches and Redbirds games. All these things and more are provided during the seven-week-long summer RBI program funded by the Memphis Redbirds Foundation. This program gives kids living in troubled neighborhoods a fun and safe activity during the summer months. Since the program's inception in 1998, the number of children involved has grown to approximately 1,100, and there are now sites in virtually every corner of the Memphis, Tennessee area. Currently, there are 14 RBI sites in:

• North: Frayser and Douglass
• South: Whitehaven and Corry
• East: East and Sheffield
• West: West Memphis I and West Memphis II

Each RBI participant enjoys the benefits of playing organized baseball or softball in a positive environment. However, this program has accomplished much more than just giving kids a chance to play ball - it has assisted children in disadvantaged areas by teaching them how to help themselves through goal-setting, self-respect, discipline, teamwork and community pride. The program gives children a positive alternative to the dangers of drugs, gangs and violence that surround them.

For more information concerning Memphis Redbirds Foundation memberships, call Don Rovak at 901-722-0208 or visit the Memphis Redbirds online at Memphis Redbirds web site

References

• The New Rules Foundation - Memphis Redbirds Explains that Memphis Redbirds is a nonprofit group which finances the RBI program.
• National Public Radio - NPR : New Negro League Baseball Hall of Fame Mentions RBI.