Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Celebrates Youth Development Park Initiative In 2 Local Communities

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and its partners kicked off a two-day event Thursday afternoon in Baltimore City celebrating a Youth Development Park initiative in two local Baltimore communities.

The Foundation unveiled its Babe Ruth Field at Gibbons Commons on Thursday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The multi-sport, turf field is positioned on the exact same site where Babe Ruth began playing in the early 1900s.

A groundbreaking ceremony will take place in West Baltimore on Friday for Eddie Murray Field at BGE Park. Upon completion, the field will be the home to James Mosher Baseball, the oldest operating African American youth baseball league in the country, as well as playing host to numerous after-school programs.

Both parks look to provide a positive outlet for kids with mentorship through sports and recreation.

Over the last six years, the Ripken Foundation has completed 60 multipurpose synthetic turf facilities, impacting over 239,000 youth nationwide.

The 32-acre Gibbons Commons property was purchased by Saint Agnes Hospital in 2012 to develop affordable housing, as well as community and recreational services.

The multi-sport, synthetic turf field stayed true to its roots, as home plate is positioned on the exact same site where St. Mary’s alumnus Babe Ruth honed his skills in the early 1900s.

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