UMaine to host “Badges for Baseball” activity Saturday

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshal for the District of Maine, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Justice and LexisNexis Special Services, Inc. will bring its “Badges for Baseball” program to UMaine on Saturday Sept. 24 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Mahaney Dome.

Some 75 young people from underserved communities will participate in a day of baseball-themed activities designed “to help build character and teach critical life lessons.”  U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud (D-2nd District) will provide opening remarks.  Other speakers will include Dan Sandweiss, UMaine associate provost and graduate school dean, who will bring greetings from the university; Noel March, the former UMaine police chief who serves as U.S. Marshal for the District of Maine; Woody Talcove, a UMaine graduate who is CEO of LexisNexis Special Services, Inc.; and Bernard Melekian, director of the U.S. Dept. of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program.  Area law enforcement personnel will also participate, as will UMaine student-athletes and members of the athletics staff.