"This has been a wonderful experience for all these young women," said Erwin Hines, coach of the senior girls team that went to the championship game earlier this month in Jupiter, Fla.
Hines' squad lost to Hawaii in the 17th annual tournament title game, which will be shown Sunday on the MLB Network, beginning at 1 p.m.
"We just barely missed winning it all," Hines said. "More importantly, these girls developed relationships and had experiences that will last them a lifetime."
Hines began coaching boys baseball in the R.B.I. program 17 years ago and switched to girls softball a few seasons ago. He's found the switch rewarding.
"When they said they were starting a girls program they asked for coaches and nobody said anything," Hines recalled. "I put up my hand and they said, 'Congratulations, coach.'
"I said to myself, 'What did I just do?' But is has been an outstanding experience, even before we had a team that went to the national tournament.
"The best thing of all is that 80 percent of the girls in the program have gone on to college. Playing the game has opened doors that ordinarily wouldn't be available to them. That's what I mean about my being involved has been rewarding."
The stated goal of the R.B.I. program is that it is designed to increase participation and interest in baseball and softball, encourage academic participation and achievement and teach the value of teamwork to inner-city youngsters.
"The Cleveland Baseball Federation has done a great job for years," Hines said. "They have been helping boys and girls learn skills on the baseball field that they can apply to lifestyles and the workplace long after they no longer play the game."
Players on the Senior Girls team include: Katherine Brown, Alysha Ellis, Erica Ford, Renisha Ford, Dominque Hatchett, Taylor Hines, Emily King, Jaclyn Inglis, Victoria Pyles, Sarah Libran, India Prince, Nikki Rucker, Candace Shorts, Cecilie Taylor, Olivia Taylor.
The R.B.I. Junior Boys, ages 13-15, were chosen in tryouts for those playing on CBF Little F/Rich Koblentz R.B.I. teams and advanced to the World Series, but lost in the first round of playoffs.
The R.B.I. Senior Boys, ages 16-18, completed a successful season by participating in the regional tournament in Cincinnati.
Teams competed in a 32-game tournament in St. Louis during the MLB All-Star break.
The Cleveland Baseball Federation is America’s oldest charity dedicated to sports, having been established in 1910. CBF’s mission is to help the youth of Cleveland through baseball/softball to develop self esteem, social values and life skills and find their path to productive citizenship. CBF, with the cooperation and assistance of its major partners the Cleveland Indians and the City of Cleveland, provides the funding for all of the summer baseball and softball programs for Cleveland’s youth.
The Indians organization has donated more than $2.1 million to the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities and youth baseball programs since its partnership began in the early 1990s.
With funding assistance, the CBF provides equipment, coaches, scorers, uniforms, medical insurance and all other services that allow kids to play at no cost. Additionally, all players must attend educational seminars that stress positive social interaction, health issues, and other topics to prepare youth to grow into productive adult citizens. The participants have the opportunity to apply for CBF funded scholarships to help them attain a college education.
Cleveland Indians Charities was established in 1989 to make a positive contribution to the quality of life for thousands of youth by providing educational and recreational opportunities. Since its inception, CIC has donated nearly $6 million to agencies and organizations in Northeast Ohio that focus on youth education and recreation. Annually, CIC impacts nearly 15,000 youngsters in Cleveland.
Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore, left, and team vice president
Bob DiBiasio, right, present a check to youngsters in the Cleveland R.B.I. program.
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