A Note From Our CEO
Hello,
With a new year underway, we’re taking a moment to look back on what made 2025 so meaningful—and to carry that momentum into the months ahead. None of it would have been possible without the volunteers, donors, and partners who believe, as we do, that every kid deserves the chance to play.
Because of your support, thousands of young athletes across the country closed out last year—and are beginning this one—with the equipment, confidence, and opportunity they need to stay in the game. As we start the year ahead, we’re proud to recognize the MVPs who helped make that impact possible and continue to set the tone for the meaningful work still to come.
Thanks for pitching in and being part of our team!
Meredith P. Kim
CEO, Pitch In For Baseball & Softball
P.S. Reach out to us for more information on how you can get involved or to share your ideas on spreading joy and unity through sports.
2025 Impact Snapshot
- 170,000+ kids helped
- $4.6M+ in donated equipment
- 44 U.S. states
- 22 countries (+ Puerto Rico & USVI)
Grateful for the partners, donors, and volunteers making this possible—together, we’re expanding access to play.
2025 MVP Awards
Youth Service Award – Fundraising
PIFBS is proud to recognize Jonah as the 2025 Youth Service Award – Fundraising MVP.
Jonah, a huge Mets fan, got involved because he loves baseball and believes everyone deserves the chance to play. "I’ve been playing baseball for seven years. I’ve met many great friends and learned about sportsmanship, teamwork, and how to push myself to be better. I feel very fortunate to have all the equipment I need to be a good player, and I want the same for all kids who are interested in playing."
Through his Mitzvah project, Jonah raised more than $3,000, and he has also collected and donated equipment to support PIFBS’s mission of eliminating barriers and making sure every kid has what they need to play the game. Thank you, Jonah, for your generosity and leadership on and off the field!
Volunteer of the Year
PIFBS’ 2025 Volunteer of the Year MVP goes to Joanne Michael!
A longtime donor and friend, Joanne stepped up in a big way in 2025, helping lead and drive planning for our 20th Anniversary Gala. In her day job, Joanne is a highly successful event and marketing expert, and she generously donated her time, talents, and connections to help create a thoughtful event and elevate PIFBS’ visibility through combined press, media, and marketing channels.
Thank you, Joanne, for everything you do to support our mission!
Corporate Partner
Better Baseball is our 2025 Corporate Partner MVP!
PIFBS was the lucky charity for the 2025 Glove Fest event, and Better Baseball truly wrapped their arms around PIFBS—providing support on multiple levels. Through fundraising and special events, equipment donations, and mission amplification, Better Baseball helped raise more than $10,000, donated equipment, and introduced our work to new audiences.
Based in Georgia, Better Baseball doesn’t just understand community—they live it. They are also home to the largest baseball store in the world, always featuring the hottest new gear and producing custom batting cage netting.
Thank you, Better Baseball, for your incredible support!
Rookie of the Year
Founded in 2003, Boombah Inc. is now one of the fastest-growing sporting goods companies in the nation. Their mantra is to "Be what no one else is and give what no one else will," and they truly live up to that commitment.
PIFBS is pleased to recognize Boombah as our 2025 Rookie of the Year MVP. Right out of the gates, as a new donor to PIFBS, Boombah made three separate donations valued at nearly $300,000. This massive contribution included bags, gloves, and nearly 4,000 pairs of cleats.
Their generosity has helped hundreds of children in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Brazil access the game they love.
Thank you, Boombah, for helping us break down barriers so that ALL kids can play ball!
Baseball Ambassador
PIFBS is pleased to recognize Mookie Betts and his 5050 Foundation as the 2025 Baseball Ambassador MVP. Through this special partnership, PIFBS and the 5050 Foundation, in partnership with Wilson Sporting Goods and EvoShield, supported more than 200 student-athletes in Chicago and Los Angeles with nearly $40,000 in gear.
In Los Angeles, students in LAUSD participated in the inaugural year of the 5050 Foundation’s Academic Challenge, in which teams from select schools were invited to push themselves academically. The baseball and softball teams with the highest GPA won brand-new A2000 gloves courtesy of Wilson Sporting Goods. The four teams with the most improved GPA received $2,500 team grants from PIFBS to use on equipment for the 2026 season.
Thank you, Mookie, for your leadership on and off the field!
Softball Ambassador
Our 2025 Softball Ambassador MVP is Natasha Watley!
A longtime friend of PIFBS who has played a key role in our softball development, Natasha Watley—a three-time Olympian, WCWS champion, and nonprofit leader—is also an outstanding advocate for the game of softball.
Through the core work of the Natasha Watley Foundation, scholarships are awarded to girls in Southern California who have the talent and drive to succeed but face financial barriers. PIFBS proudly partners with Natasha and her foundation to provide each scholarship recipient with the gear they need for a strong start.
Thank you, Natasha—the game is better because of you!
Impact Partner – Giants Community Fund
As one of the largest RBI programs and a longtime PIFBS partner, Junior Giants has massive reach, a deep commitment to community, and a shared goal of helping kids access the game. That’s why Giants Community Fund – Junior Giants has been selected as our 2025 Impact Partner MVP!
Junior Giants is a free, noncompetitive baseball and softball program that is part of MLB’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) initiative. Each year, nearly 28,000 youth across California, Nevada, and Oregon participate in the program, which provides equipment, uniforms, program incentives, character development for players, and training for coaches. Junior Giants celebrates diversity—all are welcome to play.
PIFBS helps provide equipment to 83 Junior Giants leagues across multiple states. Thank you to Giants Community Fund for all you do to help kids get the resources they need to thrive—and play ball!
Best Impact Story – Softball
We love showing our donors the power of their donation! This year, PIFBS created a new MVP Award—Best Impact Story: Softball. For this inaugural award, we are proud to highlight Clara from South Bronx Community Charter High School Softball.
Clara (Grade 12, age 17) experienced tremendous growth this season, both as a catcher and a leader. A PIFBS grant provided a major upgrade to her gear, including a larger glove that helped boost her confidence and significantly reduce errors behind the plate. As her skills improved, so did her leadership—she became a calm, clear communicator on the field, helping guide her teammates under pressure while keeping the game fun.
Off the field, Clara lifts up those around her, making sure her teammates feel supported and connected. Her leadership extends into the classroom as well, where she now actively participates and has improved her performance across every subject. Clara plays a vital role in maintaining team unity, checking in on teammates both on the field and in life. She loves the game—and with support from PIFBS, she continues to grow even more.
Best Impact Story – Baseball
While we receive hundreds of inspiring stories each year about children and communities strengthened by the game, we love showing our donors the true impact of their support. This year, PIFBS created a new MVP Award—Best Impact Story: Baseball. For this inaugural award, we are pleased to recognize Brady of North East Little League in North East, PA.
Nine-year-old Brady has always felt most at home on the baseball diamond. Whether fielding grounders at third base or tracking down fly balls in the outfield, the game was more than a sport—it was his sanctuary, his place to shine, and his escape from everyday worries.
Earlier this year, Brady and his family lost everything in a devastating fire, including years of memories and all of his baseball equipment, along with his siblings’ gear. As the family focused on rebuilding essentials like shelter, clothing, and food, Brady faced the heartbreaking possibility of not being able to play when the spring season arrived.
A grant from PIFBS enabled North East Little League to provide Brady with everything he needed to return to the field—a bat, glove, pants, and more. The moment he touched that gear, the sparkle returned to his eyes.
Brady’s story reminds us that some of the most meaningful victories happen long before the final score, in the simple act of giving a child the chance to play the game they love.
Awareness Building – Rick Redman
The 2025 MVP Award for Awareness Building goes to Rick Redman!
A longtime supporter of PIFBS, Rick has helped connect us with organizations in need and with donors who support our mission. In his day job, Rick leads media and public relations efforts for Wilson Sporting Goods and its portfolio of baseball and softball brands, while also supporting the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.
Rick generously donated his time and expertise to help elevate PIFBS’ profile in celebration of our 20th Anniversary. He spent countless hours educating our team on the role of media and public relations, while also connecting us with industry leaders to help expand awareness of our work.
Thank you, Rick, for your leadership, generosity, and commitment to our mission!
Youth Service – Equipment Collection
Tommy and Luca are longtime friends and Chatham, NJ baseball players who turned their love for the game into meaningful action.
The pair began collecting gear for PIFBS in 2022—and never stopped. In 2025 alone, they collected and delivered more than $13,000 in equipment to Pitch In For Baseball & Softball, making this one of the largest equipment donations in our history.
Through their dedication and generosity, Tommy and Luca are helping ensure more kids have the chance to play the game they love.
Thank you, Tommy and Luca, for your big hearts and leadership on and off the field!
Take Action
Help kids around the world play ball!
As the leaves turn, it’s a perfect time to support Pitch In For Baseball & Softball. Our community’s generosity keeps our mission alive and thriving. This fall, your involvement can make a real difference. Let’s keep our projects strong together, now and beyond. Join us and help our mission grow!