Hillsborough Kids, Inc at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fl

More than 40 children from foster group homes had the chance to meet Major League Baseball players at Tropicana Field as part of the Buses for Baseball program.

Youngsters from the Hillsborough Kids, Inc., met and talked with players and watched a Devil Ray's game at the Tampa MLB team's home field.

Hillsborough Kids, Inc. (HKI) oversees care for 3,200 children in Hillsborough County. HKI's goal is to ensure child safety and strengthen families.

Along with child abuse prevention, the service provides family crisis intervention, short term services, independent living lessons for teens leaving the program, adoption placement and more.

The service also focuses on diversion services, collaborating with the county sheriff's Child Protection Investigation Department, in efforts to prevent separating children from their families unless unavoidable.

The Tampa Devil Rays partnered the Buses for Baseball program as part of the team's philosophy of outreach to children and education, and strengthening community ties.