Cary Chapter Takes PAL Process to a New Level

Police Activities League Sponsorship Important Part of PBA

The Cary Chapter in its first year as a chapter chose to sponsor a PAL team. The North Carolina Police Activities League Inc. (PAL) is a charitable arm of the NCPBA. PAL seeks to build a positive bond between cops and youth in various age groups. Sheri Abraham who is a board member and PAL chairperson coordinated the sponsorship of a 16-18 year old Senior Babe Ruth baseball team. Babe Ruth 16-18 Baseball was born in 1966 and has increased steadily since its inception. The 16-18 division is designed to provide organized regulation baseball competition for 16, 17 and 18-year-old players as a development plateau where they can continue to learn and practice those principles which will help carry them through to a satisfactory and productive adulthood. The primary objective of the 16-18 division is to provide a community-level program which eventually gives the players an opportunity to participate in the 16-18 World Series. The Cary Chapter PAL team was supported by members who attended practices and games throughout the summer season. Sheri Abraham chose to take the process a step further after the culmination of the season. She thought it would be beneficial to have a picnic and softball game that would further solidify the relationships between the players and Cary Chapter members. On September 24th, 2006, the first annual Cary Chapter Picnic and PAL softball game was held at Bond Park in Cary. Cary Chapter members and their children played a softball game with PAL team members. In the spirit of fun and relationship building the teams were mixed and matched. This was so that Cary Chapter members and PAL team members were not only playing against each other but playing beside each other. This created an incredibly fun event with some amusing moments. Some Cary Chapter members also had to face the realization that they had lost the days of their youth. After the game, everyone participated in a picnic at the Buehler Shelter where more good times were shared.