PIFBS Disaster Relief Fund

Pitch In For Baseball & Softball Provides Equipment To Children In Devastated Areas

In 2024, Pitch In For Baseball & Softball (PIFBS) donated over 144,00 pieces of baseball and softball equipment to more than 1,000 youth groups around the world. Accounting for over $3.7 million in value, this life-changing equipment reached more than 140,000 children across the globe. This includes disaster relief donations, a pillar of PIFBS’ mission. In times of tragedy, baseball and softball can help to restore a sense of normalcy for children amidst the chaos.

Such was the case in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the Southeastern United States in Fall 2024. Storm surges as high as 15 to 20 feet led to historic flooding which devasted everything in their path. The losses included baseball and softball gear stored in places that were submerged by the flooding caused by the hurricane. Upon successful completion of grant applications, six youth programs ranging from Little Leagues to high school programs across four states – Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina – received nearly 1,300 pieces of baseball and softball equipment valued at $12,500.

Entering 2025, PIFBS reacted quickly to the tragic Southern California wildfires by engaging partners ranging from equipment manufacturers to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to begin meet that devasted community’s needs. Whether through the tragic loss of personal possessions in homes or stored equipment at school and youth baseball and softball facilities, many children lost their baseball and softball equipment to the fires. As always in these situations, PIFBS and our community partners recognize the essential role that playing ball can have in both providing positive psychological outlets and a sense of normalcy to youth athletes.

This crucial work was best exemplified by PIFBS assisting the baseball and softball programs at Southern California’s John Muir High School. Muir High School – alma mater of the legendary Jackie Robinson – lost *all* of their baseball and softball equipment to the wildfires. In partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, PIFBS moved quickly to re-equip both programs at the start of 2025, shipping nearly $22,000 worth of equipment to California. This included a vast array of baseball and softball gloves, bats, uniform tops and pants, equipment bags, and, of course, brand-new baseballs and softballs.

As natural disasters seemingly become more and more commonplace, PIFBS would be doing ourselves and the kids we serve a disservice by not preparing for what may come on an ongoing basis. We must continue to build reserves of equipment to ensure we can efficiently and effectively respond to natural disasters when they occur. It is our goal to get kids back out on the diamond as soon as possible following natural disasters, and we need your help to make that possible. Together, we can eliminate equipment as a barrier to play even after natural disasters and, more importantly, give youth athletes the ability to continue to pursue their passion for baseball and softball, which provides healthy and positive outcomes in the wake of tragedy.