By Kathy Chouteau
Know what’s even better than going out to the ball game? Playing in it! Local boys and girls ages 5-14 will have the opportunity to do just that when the Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL) hosts two free “Junior Giants Pre-Season Clinics” this month so kids can explore the world of baseball and sign-up for the summer league if they like it.
The clinics are set for Thurs., May 13 and May 20 from 6-7 p.m. at Nicholl Park, 3230 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond. There’s no need to register for the clinics, kids can just show up ready to play.
Kids ready to take it next-level can register for the Junior Giants Baseball and Softball 2021 Summer League, a free, non-competitive co-ed summer league run by RPAL in Richmond. The league’s standard divisions include: T-ball (5-6 year olds); Minors (7-9 year olds); Majors (10-13 year olds); and Seniors (14-18 year olds). To recap, the RPAL-run Junior Giants League age-range is ages 5-14 and the season starts in mid-June.
A flagship program of the Giants Community Fund, Junior Giants not only focuses on baseball and softball, but also character development and programs in health, education and bullying prevention. The program serves 24,000 players in 90 leagues throughout Northern and Central California, Oregon and Nevada.
Those ready to register for the summer league can register to play in Richmond here. Volunteers are needed and can also register online. Learn more about Junior Giants at www.gojrgiants.org. Questions? Contact Jerry Anderson of RPAL at (510) 621-1221 or [email protected].