Safe at Home baseball game brings together law enforcement and Atlanta youth

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ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Law enforcement officers from across Atlanta and L.E.A.D Center for Youth alums will gather Saturday to play a baseball game that is about much more than runs and strikes.

The L.E.A.D. Center for Youth baseball program has been around since 2007 and so far has made baseball accessible to more than 550 children in Atlanta. This will be the 11th year for the Safe at Home game.

Co-founder C.J. Stewart said it is a way to build a bridge between the black community and law enforcement through baseball.

Atlanta police officer Brandon Sharpe is one of the many officers participating in this year’s game. He normally patrols Atlanta’s Zone 6, but he’ll be patrolling the outfield come Saturday.

“I hope everybody has a good time and no one gets hurt but I would like to bring the trophy home for APD though,” said Sharpe. “I see this game as a way to let the youth come and be in close proximity to police officers to see that we are normal.”

The other team is made of alums of the LEAD Center for Youth, an organization that connects hundreds of Atlanta Public Schools kids from ages 8 to 18 with baseball.

Officer Sharpe was once a L.E.A.D. player.

“I want to help any way I can and give back any way I can and continue to bridge that gap between youth, community and law enforcement,” said Sharpe.

Co-founder C.J. Stewart says their goal is to create what he calls major league citizens.

“A major league citizen is gainfully employed, civically engaged and a radical philanthropist,” said Stewart.

Growing up in Bankhead, Stewart credits baseball with opening doors in his own life, learning lessons on hard work and integrity and staying on the right track. Stewart was drafted by the Chicago Cubs twice in the 1990s.

“It’s not just about a ball and a bat. It’s about all the life lessons and all the relationships,” said Stewart.

Law enforcement agencies involved include the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Atlanta Public School Police, Georgia Tech Police, the Secret Service, FBI and the Atlanta Police Department.

“Ultimately I want youth that are participating in this game coming out to love and respect law enforcement and be the change that we want,” said Stewart.

The Safe at Home game is taking place on Saturday at 11 a.m. It will be held at Georgia Tech and is free to attend. Click HERE for more information.