Baseball players often say the best approach is to keep it simple. See the ball, hit the ball.Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. has the same philosophy in mind for a sports exchange with Japanese children affected by this year's earthquake and tsunami."Maybe the value of sport is to bring people together. Sometimes the escape that sports can provide. Sometimes the distraction of what it can provide," Ripken told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday at the State Department.Sixteen teens and four coaches from Japan are participating in a two-week exchange in the U.S., starting with a meeting with Ripken and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday. Other highlights of the trip include a clinic at Ripken's baseball academy, a clinic at Camden Yards where the group will also watch a Baltimore Orioles game and an appearance at the Little League World Series, where one of teens will throw out the first pitch for Japan's game Aug. 18. Source: ESPN
