Wayne Gomes Youth Baseball Diversity Foundation Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities Program

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The Wayne Gomes Youth Baseball Diversity Foundation (WGYBDF), through the Hampton Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Program, will use the grant funds to provide opportunities for individual empowerment for at-risk boys through the sport of baseball. The immediate goal of the WGYBDF is to generate peer bonding, team commitment, and personal involvement in goal attainment. The ultimate goal is to witness the movement of individuals from the 'at risk' category to the 'realizing potential' category. Six sites will participate in the RBI program: three community centers and three middle schools. Six site coordinators will identify 12-15 at-risk youth to participate in the RBI program. All coaches will provide an encouraging and empowering environment for the team members. All coaches will facilitate open communication through the use of the 'open hat policy.' This policy is an approach in which team members can pose anonymous questions to be answered for the entire team by the coach. The question and answer sessions will be held at the end of each practice. Structured practices will be held three times a week for 12 consecutive weeks. Weekly, players will have the opportunity to compete against local and regional teams. Each youth will serve as a team buddy to another teammate, rotating at weekly intervals.

Specifically, the grant funds will support a part-time program manager position, travel, supplies, and contractual services to secure coaches, site coordinators, financial and administrative services, and speakers.

NCA/NCF