Derrick Ford, M.H.S. Behavioral Health, Community Liaison recently agreed to coach and organize a youth baseball team in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia, PA. Ford deserve credit for taking on the special role of volunteer baseball coach.
Ford, who has worked with children for many years is about to embark on a one-of-a-kind journey that he and his players will remember for the rest of their lives. Derrick’s season was packed with many special moments, coming from the practices and your
games.
Above: Strawberry Mansion youth preparing for the game.
Ford and other coaches approach to the season was to create goals that put in place how adults should interact with the kids during practices and games. Coaches would impact how your youth players will feel about themselves, the sport of baseball, and their coaches.
Most of the time Derrick used his many job responsibilities dealing with recovery to help the kids develop great passion for the game. Coaches were sure to get the season headed in the right direction and to keep it on course. Interestingly kids leaned all kinds of quality information on all the different aspects of the game.
The baseball program was designed to teach what it takes to build solid relationships with
parents, to get them working with the community leaders rather than against them, and to take a peek at the rules and terms that are a big part of the game.
Above: Derrick Ford, center, and community activist
supporting children baseball.
Many anti-violence activist and others volunteered with Derrick’s base ball program to coach this season because they wanted to spend more time with children even if the child was not theirs. Many adults were right there on the field introducing
black children and others to the great game of baseball.
Above: Male role models involved with the game.
Ford had little problem finding coaches to participate in the local league. One of the biggest challenges to the coaches was how to relate to such young players, make them like their coach, and teach them the skills of the game.
Above: Kids crossing their hearts and getting ready to
be little league heroes of inner city baseball.
But before any youngster took the field for their first practice under team direction, Derrick had plenty of behind-the-scenes work to do. He had to do the work that would ensure that the season got off to a smooth start.
Above: Kids suiting up for the game.
Derrick Ford is a case manager, a therapist, and community activist. ... Derrick is a key figure in the Philadelphia Police Department's Heads up Program. He is the founder and director of Brothers Reaching Back, has formed a Youth Baseball League in Philadelphia, and hosts the first recovery talk show on radio station WURD 900 AM in Philadelphia. Derrick is a talk radio co-host on the Janet Powell show, WNWR 1540 AM. If you are interested in youth sports with Ford and his coaches call (215) 327-5065
