PG Cares Grow the Game Fund

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa. –   Perfect Game today announced that Major League Baseball All-Stars, George Springer and Trevor Story have donated a combined $150,000 to the Perfect Game Cares Foundation, designated to support its “Grow the Game” fund. In turn, Perfect Game also announced it will match the generous donation from two of its most illustrious alums, bringing a total contribution of $300,000 to the Perfect Game Cares Foundation to help provide financial assistance to youth players in need.

Springer and Story wanted to join forces to ensure that more athletes of color and underprivileged youth in general are getting the financial assistance they need to play baseball in their local communities.

“Grow the Game” funds are earmarked by the Perfect Game Cares Foundation specifically for the purpose of helping ensure that cost does not stop any child from enjoying a chance to play and fall in love with the great games of baseball and softball in their communities. Together, Story and Springer’s donation will be used to create long-term change within baseball by making the game more accessible for underprivileged youth and developing more opportunities for players from impoverished communities to play the game of baseball.

“As a Black baseball player myself, one of my goals is to make the sport more accessible to athletes of color,” said Springer. “I’m proud to be a part of this initiative and provide help to underprivileged kids who need the financial assistance to further their careers.”

“It’s extremely important to break down the barriers that have kept Black and underprivileged kids from pursuing a career in baseball,” said Story. “These funds will go towards helping kids from impoverished communities participate in programs that would normally be outside their financial means.”

“Great things can happen when like-minded individuals come together to make a difference in a child’s life. We are so incredibly humbled that Trevor and George have stepped forward to support and invest in our newly formed Grow the Game fund for under privileged kids across America,” said Jennifer Ford, executive director of the Perfect Game Cares Foundation. “Children cannot find hope without resources and opportunities provided to them. Perfect Game Cares hopes to change the narrative for kids who cannot otherwise afford to enter or continue in baseball and softball due to financial barriers. To know that two of our best alumni have reached back to help kids achieve their dreams is truly heartwarming to see.”

“We are very grateful and proud of George and Trevor. They are showing that they truly care about the future of other young children who may just need a helping hand to accomplish great things in life,” said Perfect Game Founder and President, Jerry Ford. “I remember watching George compete in our showcase at Cape Cod and watching Trevor compete with the Dallas Patriots in Jupiter. It is with great pleasure to see those two, along with many other former PG alums, become very successful Major League players. It means so much that they care about our mission to help those that lack the financial resources necessary to get better opportunities, and it is an honor to recognize their generosity by matching their contribution.”

The Perfect Game Cares Foundation is the 501c3 nonprofit extension of Perfect Game and is committed to helping children living in America’s underserved areas and helping grow the sports of softball and baseball from the grassroots level all the way through the high school, collegiate and professional ranks.

The public can join Springer, Story and the Perfect Game Cares Foundation in breaking down financial barriers that stand between young people in need and their ability to enjoy the games of baseball and softball by contributing to the “Grow the Game” Fund  here.

For more information, please visit  PerfectGame.org  and PerfectGameCares.org.