As part of Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program, 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 are partnering to host a one-day Summer Baseball Camp as part of national initiatives to get more children interested in the sport.
 
A press conference will be held on June 5 at 11:15 a.m. at Historic Luther Williams Field (150 Willie Smokie Glover Drive) and will include representatives from the partners to announce what children will be doing that day, as well as other opportunities throughout the year to be part of the RBI program.
 
The RBI Summer Baseball Camp will be on June 10 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Historic Luther Williams Field. Children ages 5-17 can participate in this camp for free, and registration can be done online at www.maconbibb.us/rbiregistration or at the Parks and Recreation Office in Central City Park.
 
“Baseball has been successful in the past, and we’re seeing a resurgence in interest in the sport the past few years,” says Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert. “Thanks to the work of the United Way and our own Parks and Recreation Department, we are able to reach children at a younger age, opening up a lifetime of involvement in America’s favorite pastime.”
 
“Numerous studies have proven that physical activity is vital to the holistic development of young people, fostering their physical, social and emotional health, and participation in sports is linked to higher grades, lower dropout rate, reduced truancy, and lower crime rates,” says George McCanless, President & CEO of United Way of Central Georgia. “I personally appreciate what a significant contribution sports have made to my life and how important a role my coaches played in my development, and I want to try and make sure every child can have those same opportunities.”