Keeper of The Game donates game balls to Bambino Buddy Ball League; Expands reach to Arizona

FRISCO, Texas – The Keeper of The Game Foundation is pleased to announce the donation of game baseballs and softballs to the Bambino Buddy Ball League in Surprise, Ariz. The gift is Keeper of The Game’s first major contribution to an adaptive league in the state of Arizona.

“The Keeper of The Game Foundation is excited to be expanding into Arizona,” Keeper of The Game Executive Director Bryan Hoctor said. “With all the support we receive throughout the Texas Rangers organization, the Surprise Bambino Buddy Ball League is a great fit for us. The City of Surprise’s DreamCatcher Park is a beautiful facility and is right across the street from the Spring Training home of the Rangers.”

The donation was made official on March 24 with a presentation to several Bambino Buddy Ball League athletes at DreamCatcher Park by Keeper of The Game Major League Baseball Player Relations Advisor Salomon Manriquez and fellow members of the Texas Rangers organization: coach Jason Hart and players Pat Cantwell, Ryan Cordell, Tripp Martin, Josh Morgan and Jose Trevino. Also representing the foundation was City of Surprise Babe Ruth League athlete Garrett Allen.

“The presentation by Keeper of The Game for the donation of the game balls was amazing,” Cantwell said. “To be able to see the impact it is going to have on those kids is something I will remember forever.”

The six dozen baseballs and softballs will begin being used this spring by more than 70 athletes.

“Keeper of the Game is a great organization and we are very appreciative of its donation to our program,” City of Surprise Recreation Division Manager Paul Frie said. “Any added assistance in continuing to offer a barrier-free program is a win-win for everyone involved.”

The Bambino Buddy Ball League – a part of the Babe Ruth League – was established in 2007 to allow players, ages four and older, who are either physically or intellectually challenged to participate in and enjoy the game of baseball. The league allows a “buddy” to assist a player throughout the game as needed (swing the bat, run the bases, field the ball, etc.).

Following the presentation, Keeper of The Game representatives all served as buddies for a game between Bambino Buddy Ball League teams.

“To be a part of something bigger than the game of baseball and bring some peace and happiness to those kids and their families is something that the baseball community as a whole should be proud of,” Cantwell said. “I am proud to be associated with Keeper of The Game and its efforts to help spread love and laughter through baseball.”

To see a photo gallery of the ceremony, click here.

To make a donation to Keeper of The Game, click here. You can follow the foundation on social media through Facebook, Twitter (@BaseballKeepers) and Instagram (keeperofthegame). To learn more about the Bambino Buddy Ball League, visit surpriseaz.gov.