Local teens taking part in Civil Rights Game

Photos: Reds host Civil Rights Game

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By Meagan Engle, Staff Writer Updated 12:47 AM Saturday, June 20, 2009

Twenty-one young men will be in Cincinnati to see some great American legends.

Middletown’s teen mentoring committee is taking part in the Civil Rights Game today, June 20, between the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox at Great American Ball Park.

The game will serve as a chance for the students to learn about the history of black men once excluded from baseball and the role the game played in the civil rights movement.

“We’re really excited about the opportunity to give our young boys a perspective about how African-Americans influenced the game of baseball and how they themselves participated in that sport at high levels of achievement,” said mentor Jim Ewers.

The youths, ages 10 to 17, will have the chance to learn about role models such as Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron.

“We wanted to show the boys the historical contribution that African-Americas have made to the game of baseball,” said committee president Phillip Williams.

“To be able to actually see those men, men who they’ve only seen on television or read about in history books, I think will be significant and compelling,” Ewers said.

Williams said the teen mentoring committee, which was founded in 2004, uses trips like this one and other programs to show youth “there’s plenty of things you can do with your life, plenty of positive things.”

The trip to Cincinnati was made possible with a grant from the Miami University Credit Union, Ewers said.

Civil Rights Game

What: Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox

Gametime: 7:40 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at Great American Ball Park

Fifth Street by the Square: 2 to 7 p.m. kids can test their skills in batting cages, pitching mounds and base running. Prizes available. Free to the public.

On-field ceremonies: 6:50 p.m. Hank Aaron, Muhammad Ali and Bill Cosby will be honored. Grammy Award-winning gospel singer BeBe Winans will sing the national anthem, and country singer Rissi Palmer will sing “America the Beautiful.”

First pitch: Former Reds star, Hall of Famer Frank Robinson will throw out ceremonial first pitch.

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