Celebrate 20 Years of Impact and Legacy with Pitch In For Baseball & Softball
Join us at our 20th Anniversary Gala to honor two decades of empowering young athletes through the love of sports.
ABOUT PIFBS
Together, We’ve Made a Difference
Pitch In For Baseball & Softball believes that lack of equipment should never be a reason a child isn’t able to play ball. Since 2005, Pitch In For Baseball & Softball has been dedicated to helping children around the globe play baseball and softball. PIFBS has donated $35 million in equipment to over 2.2 million children across 119 countries.
In addition to its pure play element, the game is also a powerful vehicle for youth development teaching important life lessons like teamwork, respect, keeping a commitment, and the art of winning and losing. It also helps build self-confidence, offers a constructive alternative for the key after-school hours, and gives kids positive role models in their coaches. It is a game that brings communities together – unifying people from different backgrounds, religions, ethnic groups, and socioeconomics as well as offering parents a way to connect with their kids.
PIFBS Quick FACTS
At Pitch In For Baseball & Softball, we believe every child deserves the chance to experience the joy of sports. With the support of our community, we are breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for kids to thrive both on and off the field.
Meredith Kim
CEO of Pitch In For Baseball & Softball
An Unforgettable EVENT
Get ready for a night unlike any other! Our 20th Anniversary Gala at Citizens Bank Park will bring together friends of the game for food, fun, and plenty of surprises.
You’ll take part in one-of-a-kind ballpark experiences, meet some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, and see our mission come to life with stories that show just how powerful a glove or bat can be.
Add in live design stations, batting cages, and an auction packed with experiences you can’t get anywhere else—and you’ve got a party with purpose that you won’t want to miss!
Featured Guests
Ben Davis
Phillies Broadcaster (Co-Emcee)
Dave Osokow
Philly Influencer
(Co-Emcee)
Natasha Watley
2x Olympic Medalist, MLB Softball Ambassador
(Keynote Speaker)
Special Appearances
Phillie Phanatic
Official mascot for the Philadelphia Phillies
Coming Soon!
New Special Guest Soon to be Announced
Ryan Smith
Lead Glove Designer, Wilson Sporting Goods
(Glove Design Station)
Bruce
Lead Designer, Victus Bats
(Bat Design Session)
Zack Hample
Baseball Collector,
Honoree
OUR Honorees
Our Honorees share our belief that any child who wants to play baseball or softball should have the opportunity to do so.
Justin Briant
Minneapolis, MN
Throughout our journey, PIFBS has worked with countless volunteers and donors, yet only a rare few have had the kind of impact Justin Briant and his family have had on our organization. At a pivotal phase in the
PIFBS story, Justin started out by volunteering as part of his service project and eventually served as a regional collection and fulfillment partner in Minneapolis, helping to gather and store equipment to be utilized in equipment grants. Constrained by space and financial resources, the Briant Family’s contribution of time, energy, and heart made a significant impact on our ability to respond to the equipment needs of children around the world.
Dave Davis
Harleysville, PA
Dave joined the Pitch In For Baseball & Softball Board at a critical time, bringing with him a deep love for the game, passion for helping others, and an unparalleled understanding of nonprofit development. Dave was a giver, the definition of “doing the right thing”, never afraid to ask the “hard questions”, and was the catalyst for getting the organization on a growth trajectory. His leadership as Chair for both the Governance and Development Committees led to the recruitment of like-minded Board members.
Rich Gelles
Philadelphia, PA
Rich joined the Pitch In For Baseball & Softball Board of Directors at a time when the organization was first beginning to think about fundraising. First and foremost, he brought a love for the game to Pitch In For Baseball & Softball. Rich generously shared his decades of fundraising experience at the highest levels, knowledge about nonprofits and compliance, and innate ability to read people and connect donors to things they care about. Rich was also key to driving the organization’s first-ever leadership change and helping PIFBS become stronger as it entered a new phase.
Zack Hample
New York, NY
For more than a decade, Zack Hample has chosen Pitch In For Baseball & Softball as his official Charity Partner, helping PIFBS to grow awareness, reach new audiences, expand the donor base, and forge new partnerships. Over the years, Zack has helped leverage more than $175,000 to support projects in New York City and around the world. No single individual has made such a marked impact on the PIFBS organization as a whole.
Little League International
Williamsport, PA
Little League International has been with Pitch In For Baseball & Softball since the beginning. Our very first projects helped to rebuild leagues along the Gulf Coast that lost everything following Hurricane Katrina. Over the years, the partnership has grown from initial impact to include awareness-building, fundraising, equipment donations from the league level, and increased support of leagues in need of assistance both domestically and internationally. Uniquely positioned to include both the donor and grantee sides, Little League has been with us every step of the way, defining what it means to be a truly reciprocal and collaborative partner.
Major League Baseball
New York, NY
For more than 15 years, Major League Baseball has been a core partner, providing credibility, expertise, and connections to ensure that we are reaching the kids who need the most help. Together, we have helped make the game more accessible for tens of thousands of children in need around the world. The partnership started as a means to get standardized equipment shipments to clubs; it has evolved into a rich, tailored approach in an effort to more accurately meet the specific needs of leagues and communities in need. The support from Major League Baseball has had a marked impact on our ability to get equipment to the kids who need the help the most.
Moldovan Family
Basking Ridge, NJ
As PIFBS’ very first equipment donor, the Moldovan Family became the model for which all future donor stewardship and partnerships would be based. It started with one of their three children choosing PIFBS for their youth service project and resulted in each of his siblings choosing PIFBS as their charity partner as well. The Moldovan Family bonded together and showed us what was possible by establishing a great relationship with Basking Ridge Baseball, which serves as a permanent local equipment collection site, making it easier for people to donate, which remains a primary goal and best practice. It didn’t stop there, as the Moldovans continued to go above and beyond by making the lengthy trip several times a year to donate truckloads of gear to PIFBS’ headquarters. Pitch In For Baseball & Softball has been grateful for the opportunity to support service projects for each of the Moldovan children. The impact of the Moldovan Family’s kindness and passion will forever remain core to who PIFBS is as an organization.
Aleshia Ocasio
Florida
In 2019, Pitch In For Baseball & Softball set a goal to increase its ability to support youth softball through equipment while recognizing the additional hurdles that girls playing the sport face. Universally, there are fewer opportunities for high quality softball instruction and skills training. While softball continues to grow in popularity, coverage and recognition of its athletes does not reach the levels of professional baseball. It is sometimes more difficult for girls to see their place in the sports landscape. Aleshia helped PIFBS to elevate awareness in the softball world, get resources to kids in need, create opportunities for high quality instruction, and raise financial support through Athletes Unlimited.
Bill Piszek
Philadelphia, PA
Bill was and is one of those very special people that made an everlasting impression on every life he touched. It was Bill’s idea that sparked the inspiration for Pitch In For Baseball & Softball. His role as the inspiration and founding Board member, as well as his ever-enthusiastic love for the game, ensured that the organization stayed focused on providing support to all children in need who wanted to play ball. From the very start through his last moments, Bill was a loyal and consistent beacon for Pitch In For Baseball & Softball, the voice of reason, and the heart that fueled the organization.
Wilson Sporting Goods
Chicago, IL
Little League International has been with Pitch In For Baseball & Softball since the beginning. Our very first projects helped to rebuild leagues along the Gulf Coast that lost everything following Hurricane Katrina. Over the years, the partnership has grown from initial impact to include awareness-building, fundraising, equipment donations from the league level, and increased support of leagues in need of assistance both domestically and internationally. Uniquely positioned to include both the donor and grantee sides, Little League has been with us every step of the way, defining what it means to be a truly reciprocal and collaborative partner.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Make an Impact – Support the Gift of Play
Join us in celebrating 20 years of transforming lives through baseball and softball at the Pitch In For Baseball & Softball (PIFBS) 20th Anniversary Gala on November 8, 2025, at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA.
This special evening will bring together supporters, beneficiaries, and partners to commemorate two decades of ensuring that equipment is never a barrier for kids who want to play ball. Your sponsorship directly supports PIFBS’ mission to provide baseball and softball gear to under-resourced children in the U.S. and around the world.
This gala is more than just a celebration—it’s a chance to make a lasting impact. Every sponsorship helps a child get the equipment they need to play the sport they love. Your support ensures that baseball and softball continue to change lives for the better. Join us in making a difference. Ready to step up to the plate? Secure your sponsorship today!
Ryan Rieber
Grants Manager
GALA Quick FACTS
This extraordinary evening will feature:
Presenting Sponsor
$25,000
Top Benefits:
Hall of Fame Sponsor
$10,000
Top Benefits:
MVP
Sponsor
$5,000
Top Benefits:
Rookie
Sponsor
$2,500
Top Benefits:
Starter
Sponsor
$1,000
Top Benefits:
Make a Difference – Become a Sponsor Today!
For sponsorship inquiries and other ways to support the event, contact:
📧 Meredith Kim, Chief Executive Officer
✉️ meredith.kim@pifbs.org | 📞 267.263.4069
OUR SPONsors
Our Sponsors share our belief that any child who wants to play baseball or softball should have the opportunity to do so.
Ticket Opportunities
Get Your Tickets to Celebrate 20 Years of Impact!
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating two decades of helping kids play ball. Whether you’re attending solo, bringing your whole team, or looking for the VIP experience, there’s a ticket option for you. Reserve your spot today and be part of the celebration!
EXPERIENCES
Arrival Time
Phanatic Meet & Greet
Field Access
Batting Cage
VIP Reception
(food + open bar)
SWAG Bag
($150 Value)
Early access to the silent auction
Big Dom Meet & Greet
Raffle Ticket
Wilson Glove Making Station
Victus
Bat Design Session
Buffet
Open Bar
Access to Silent Auction
General tour of Ballpark
VIP
$500
per ticket
4pm
All-Star
$200
per ticket
5pm
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General Admission
$100
per ticket
6pm
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table of 10 All-Star
$2,500
table of 10 General Admission
$1,500
Frequently Asked Question
Is the Gala a family-friendly event? Can I bring my kids?
While we love kids, this particular event is geared more toward adults and older teens. We recommend ages 12 and up due to the event’s format, atmosphere, and presence of alcohol.
There won’t be activities or supervision for young children, so we kindly encourage guests to make this a grown-up night out. If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help you decide what’s best for your family.
Where is the gala taking place?
The gala will be held at CP Rankin Club at Citizens Bank Park, located at 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, PA 19148. Detailed directions and parking information will be provided closer to the event date.
Will travel and lodging details be provided?
Yes, we are proud to be partnering with the Courtyard Philadelphia South at The Navy Yard (conveniently located near Citizens Bank Park) to offer discounted rates of $189 for the evening of November 7-8th.
Book your group rate for PIFBS 20th Anniversary Gala Room. Please make sure to reserve by October 17th to ensure the special room rate!
Address:
1001 Intrepid Avenue Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, 19112
What is the dress code for the PIFBS 20th Anniversary Gala?
The vibe is Party Chic! Think classy, festive, and fun—like what you’d wear to a stylish celebration or a night out with flair. Cocktail dresses, jeans and a dressy top, sport coats, and bold accessories are all welcome. Comfortable shoes are encouraged (there will be tours, and, depending on the ticket, you may get to try the batting cages!).
If you’re still unsure, just aim for “classy anything goes”—as long as you’re feeling confident and celebratory, you’re dressed right. No one will be judging you!
How can I secure a sponsorship?
To become a sponsor, please contact Jon Blitzer, PIFBS Director of Development, via email at jon.blitzer@pifbs.org or call 267.263.4069. Sponsorship opportunities are limited, so act quickly to secure your spot!
Where should I park for the event?
Guests should park in Lot P and enter the venue via Suite & Club Home Plate entrance. Please refer to the event map for additional details.
Who should I contact for media and press inquiries?
For media and press-related questions, please contact Meredith P. Kim at meredith.kim@pifbs.org or call 267.263.4069.
Silent Auction
Our 20th Anniversary Gala will feature a silent auction filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exclusive memorabilia, and unique packages you won’t find anywhere else. Proceeds directly support Pitch In For Baseball & Softball, helping us give even more kids the chance to play ball.
In addition to the confirmed items below, we’re working on securing extraordinary experiences like a 2026 MLB All-Star Game package in Philadelphia and a Field of Dreams experience in Iowa. Stay tuned for more details!
Auction Highlights
⚾ 2026 Little League Classic
🎟️ 4 “Very Important Banana” World Tour tickets (city of choice) + EvoShield Swag Bag
🎰 Wynn Casino Package – 2 nights stay, dinner + show
⚾ 4 Chicago Cubs 1914 Club tickets (Wrigley Field, 2026)
🏆 Louisville Package – Slugger Museum, Ali Museum, Derby Museum
🦅 Eagles Road Trip: Dallas vs. Eagles at AT&T Field (2026–27 season) + Signed Deuce Staley Jersey + $250 Delta gift card
👜 Rawlings “Heart of the Hide” duffle bag
🏖️ 4-night stay at Paradise Oceanfront Hotel (Wildwood Crest, NJ)