Giving Back to The Community, One Bat, Glove, and Helmet at a Time!
As SPEAR enters its 20th year in service, a milestone we are very proud of, we stop to reflect on what is most important in life. We’ve not only grown as a company, but also continue to positively impact our local community. It is important that we give back to causes that truly align with our values. Our CEO and Co-founder Dan Rootenberg has always been passionate about baseball, as he grew up playing the sport. He also participates on the board of two little leagues and even donates his time coaching and guiding inner-city children; thus far, he’s coached more than 200 kids in the past decade alone!
With Dan’s natural enthusiasm for the sport, SPEAR’s collaboration with Pitch In For Baseball (PIFB) fit like a glove. PIFB is a wonderful not-for-profit organization focused on enabling youth baseball and softball players to play ball by helping eliminate limitations. PIFB collects much needed athletic gear and equipment and distributes them to youth ball players who may not otherwise have the means to access them. Thus far, the organization has helped more than 700,000 boys and girls nationally and globally to play baseball and softball!
CEO and Co-founder Dan Rootenberg presenting the donation to Pitch In For Baseball (PIFB)
Last year at our annual Picnic in the Park event, SPEAR pledged to donate $10,000 to the organization’s cause. Dan and the SPEAR team presented the donation at PIFB’s event on March 18th, where thirty youth baseball coaches and several boys’ baseball and girls’ softball teams received new gear for their teams! Each baseball team acquired five leather baseball gloves and a bat, and each girls’ softball team received a pair of catchers’ gear as well. Dan spoke to the crowd and discussed reducing injury risk through proper throwing mechanics and proper rest between outings. He also spoke candidly about his passion for the sport, his journey thus far and how honored he felt to be able to support those who love the sport as much as he does.
PIFB’s goal to continue uplifting children truly connects with SPEAR’s mission and values. The excitement and smiles on the children’s faces when they step out in the field this season is the ultimate reason behind it all. SPEAR is honored to work with such a noble cause, working to cultivate a positive and inviting environment for adolescents in the community. No child should have to hold back from immersing themselves in their passion. We look forward to the future and can’t wait to see these young athletes develop!
