Nashville Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI), a youth outreach program designed to promote interest in baseball while increasing the self-esteem of disadvantaged children, is joining forces with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee to carry its mission to more young people.

Nashville RBI Chairman John Ray Clemmons and Dan Jernigan, president/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, announced the organizations’ partnership during Opening Day festivities at Buena Vista Park on Saturday, April 5. Mayor Karl Dean was on hand to throw out the first pitch.

The partnership is modeled after the national collaboration between RBI and Boys & Girls Clubs of America as well as partnerships between local Clubs across the nation. Nashville RBI is hopeful the joint effort will bring about more opportunities for both organizations.

“This partnership is a homecoming for Nashville RBI,” said Clemmons, referencing the original partnership between Nashville RBI and Boys & Girls Clubs when Nashville RBI launched in 1996. “We couldn’t have asked for a better organization; they offer services to our kids that will strengthen our outreach efforts.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs agreed that joining forces would increase the reach of both organizations in the Nashville area.

“Nashville RBI will provide the kids we serve access to baseball and softball opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have,” Jernigan said. “We’re excited for the many children whose lives will be touched through this partnership.”