Your thoughts on Major League baseball's inner city programs?

Question

After seeing how the NBA and NFL are going to hell with this hip hop ****, do we really want to be doing this?

Answer 1

Excellent idea and many MLB teams have been doing these type programs for several years. I totally agree with your assessment of the NBA,etc hip hop crap but the MLB teams have used a completely different approach. Most inner city programs are run through the local city Police Athletic leagues (PAL) and participants are also coached about education,street life, drugs, proper behavior and respect. Because the police are involved a lot of the garbage that is acceptable in normal leagues isnt tolerated in the inner city programs. They screen all coaches to make sure the proper role models are the ones coaching these kids. For all that is wrong with baseball (steroids, monster contracts, etc.) this is one area where they have done themselves proud! Recreational activity is better than the alternatives for most of these kids and every kid that can be reached to be better makes all the money and resources a great investment.

Answer 2

A minor league team, Reading Phillies, built a stadium in the inner city for youth programs.

The cost, almost a million dollars, and paid for via contributions and fund raisers.
They also sent a groundskeeper to fix up the infield at another rec league ballpark in the city.

Ballplayers go around to inner city groups to help teach reading.

The program is in the black, and doing well.

What does the team get out of it?? Fans for the future.