CANTON, Ohio - A new program sponsored by a baseball legend will help local police serve as mentors to underserved youth in the area.

On Wednesday, Valley children got a chance to meet baseball legend Cal Ripken, Jr. He was in Canton introducing his juvenile crime prevention program, Badges to Baseball. It pairs local youth and police together to play baseball. It's named after his father, the late Cal Ripken, Sr.

"He always had a special affinity for kids in general, ones that didn't have the same advantages and ones that didn't have fathers in particular, I think because he lost his dad when he was 10. So when dad died we wanted to capture that spirit," Ripken said.

Last year the foundation reached 26,000 kids in 16 states. This is the first time the program has been offered in Ohio, to 300 kids in Youngstown, Zanesville and Canton.

"I know I've had many conversations with my own son about life when I'm trying to actually work with him in the cage, hitting," explained Ripken. "It's the perfect opportunity to advise when you're doing it through sport."

The foundation and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine are funding the program.

"This is really combining three of my great passions in life; children, baseball and law enforcement," said Attorney General DeWine. "One of the things about baseball that we all love is it brings families together, it brings people together, it connects generations."

In the Valley, Badges for Baseball will be offered through the Youngstown Boys & Girls Club. Executive Director Tony Perrone says the program fits perfectly with the organization's mission.

"We offer young people what they need and what they want the most, adults who respect and listen to them, a safe environment where they can have fun and be themselves," Perrone said.

Youngstown police will help mentor and hit the bases with the children.

"It gives all of the kids an opportunity to see the police in a different light than they might just on the street patrolling their neighborhood," said Lt. Jason Simon of the Youngstown Police Department.

Local kids say they're excited to play ball with their new mentors.

"I'm really getting ready to play with them," said Nathaniel Carter of Youngstown. "I'm really, really excited!"

"I think it's pretty cool," added Ella Perrone of Niles. "Because some kids don't get to meet cops a lot, so they can get to play with them and get to have fun with them."

Badges for Baseball begins April 16th. The summer program will be offered locally to members of the Youngstown Boys and Girls Club. They expect to serve about 100 kids and are still open to new members.