A Note From Our CEO
Greetings, PIFBS Family,
Summer’s here, and we’re loving every bit of sunshine and those home-run moments we’ve shared. From local tournaments to inspiring youth stories, your support is putting kids on the field and building confidence. With our Gala just three months away, we need your continued help to fuel these programs and keep the fun going.
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.
June Impact in Action!
In June, Pitch In For Baseball & Softball reached more than 10,761 kids across 10 U.S. states and 4 countries, donating over $171,763 worth of equipment to programs in need. These figures aren’t just statistics—they represent thousands of young athletes gaining the opportunity to play, grow, and thrive through sport.
Carson’s Home Run Journey: From Shy Rookie to Confident All-Star
Carson was 7 when he joined the Urban Youth Kings & Queens baseball program in Philadelphia. He was shy, new to the sport, and not quite sure where he fit in.
Now? He’s a confident 10U player, proudly wearing his uniform, making friends, and embracing the game with enthusiasm. ⚾🥎
With his younger brother now enrolled too, the family says baseball has become a shared source of joy and connection to the community.
PIFBS is proud to support programs like this that don’t just teach the fundamentals of the game, they also help shape futures.
Monthly News & Highlights
Partner Spotlight: Diamond Nation Weekend Recap
What a weekend at our partner Diamond Nation’s Youth World Series! We raised awareness for PIFBS, hosted prize-winning Plinko games, and shared the spirit of the game with families from across the country—huge thanks to our volunteer MVPs and to Diamond Nation for making it all possible! Don’t forget: our public equipment drop-box at Diamond Nation is open 365 days a year. Swing by anytime to donate bats, gloves, cleats, and helmets and help kids get in the game.
Want to get involved? Sign up to volunteer for these upcoming events:
- Summer Bash – August 9
Donor Spotlight: Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year Uli Fernsler Gives Back to PIFBS
High school pitching phenom Uli Fernsler’s support of PIFBS began last August when he and his family drove from Novi, Michigan, to PIFBS headquarters in suburban Philadelphia to donate nearly 150 pieces of equipment—and it didn’t end there. After being named the 2025 Gatorade Michigan Baseball Player of the Year, Uli chose PIFBS as the recipient of a $1,000 donation from Gatorade on his behalf. Thank you, Uli!
The Gatorade Player of the Year award honors not just on-field excellence but also academic achievement and community service. Uli dominated on the mound with a 0.32 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 43 innings, graduated summa cum laude from Novi High School, and led youth baseball camps and a high school sports leadership program as part of his PIFBS youth service project.
Uli and his family first discovered PIFBS in 2016 while living in State College, PA. "We like the idea of helping other kids play baseball," they say. "It’s exciting to see what a global game baseball is. PIFBS helps a lot of people all over the world." Thanks to Uli’s equipment drive and his Gatorade donation, he’s directly helping kids everywhere play ball! Know someone who might qualify for Gatorade Player of the Year—and perhaps follow in Uli’s footsteps? Visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com to learn more.
Events & Opportunities
Saturday Equipment Drop-Off – August 16th
Join us on Saturday, August 16th for a special Equipment Drop-Off Day at Pitch In For Baseball & Softball. Your donated gear helps kids in underserved communities around the world access the tools they need to play—and thrive.
Drop-off time: 10 AM – 4 PM
Contact tony.delgrosso@pifbs.org to schedule.
Every donation makes a difference—thank you for helping us grow the game!
Philly Youth Sports Fund Summer Grant Now Open!
The Philly Youth Sports Fund summer grant is now open for Philadelphia-based nonprofits delivering youth sports programming. Whether you’re a small community group or a growing provider, you can apply for funding that helps kids get in the game, build confidence, and stay active. Visit the application form for full eligibility requirements and submit your proposal by August 15, 2025.
20th Anniversary Gala: Almost Here!
Our 20th Anniversary Gala is just under three months away—mark your calendars for November 8, 2025, at Citizens Bank Park! Tickets will be available soon, so stay tuned. Do you have a favorite PIFBS memory or moment, or has our work made a difference in your community? Share your story and help us celebrate two decades of impact together.
Fundraiser Alert: Time is running out to go bananas!
We’re down to the final 3 cities in our Go Bananas for Baseball fundraiser—Pittsburgh, New York City, and Houston! Every dollar helps — and you could win 4 tickets to see the Savannah Bananas. The top fundraiser in each city wins 4 tickets to the event! Fundraising Deadlines:
- Pittsburgh, PA — 8/17/2025, 11 PM ET
- New York City, NY — 8/31/2025, 11 PM ET
- Houston, TX — 9/14/2025, 11 PM ET
Time’s ticking—let’s Go Bananas together!
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!