Fenway Park Hosts Nearly 100 Young Police Activities League Ball Players

Police Activities League (PAL) of Massachusetts, Lowell Police Department, and Massachusetts State Police collaborated in 2024 to create a new program called “Skills & Drills Baseball Clinic”. Skills & Drills answered a need for middle school boys and girls to pursue productive and engaging after-school activities, while creating critical mentor relationships between law enforcement and youth.

PAL partnered with Lowell Public Schools and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, exemplifying the approach to collectively work with schools and police departments to address community needs. Through a grant proposal submitted by PAL, Skills & Drills received funding from the Yawkey Foundation for the 2024 program.

The six-week Skills & Drills program offered basic baseball skills to youth; led and coached by law enforcement officers representing Lowell Police Department and Massachusetts State Police, including Trooper Cliff Desrosena of Troop A Community Action Team.

The clinic rotated through three Lowell public middle schools and the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, with 30 participants per location. Utilizing a rotating schedule, officers and coaches traveled to the participants, minimizing the need for youth and families to travel long distances to attend the clinic. The clinic focused on baseball drills; including catching, throwing, hitting, and emphasized teamwork and encouraged fun for all.

This week, the excitement of Skills & Drills culminated with a trip to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game. A great time was had by all – many of the children had never been to Boston and found a trip to Fenway Park a memorable experience.