NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State hosts defending America East Conference champion Maine this weekend for a four-game series at Marty L. Miller Field. The teams play single games at 4 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Sunday, and a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The Spartans (9-12) enter the weekend on an eight-game winning streak, the longest in the school's Division I era (since 1998) and longest since the 1995 team won 22 straight.

The Black Bears are 7-14 overall after dropping two of three to Bryant last weekend.

In addition to the doubleheader Saturday, the Norfolk Department of Recreation, Parks & Open Space (RPOS) and the Police Athletic League (PAL) will host their annual cookout and registration drive for the 2012 Badges for Baseball Program at Marty L. Miller Field from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The RPOS and PAL partner with the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program in the Badges for Baseball initiative, which aims to get youth involved in playing baseball to prevent crime and improve the relationship between law enforcement personnel and disadvantaged children.

The first 200 children to register will receive a free T-shirt and baseball. All youth who register are also invited to participate in a pre-game clinic and are encouraged to stay for the NSU-Maine doubleheader. Darrell Crittendon, Director of Norfolk RPOS, and city of Norfolk Police Chief Sharon Chamberlin will throw out ceremonial first pitches.

For more information on the Badges for Baseball Program, call Officer Ali Williams at (757) 718-2476.