Keeper of The Game’s Special Guests Program set for Fourth of July weekend

FRISCO, Texas – The Keeper of The Game Foundation (KoTG) is set to host its Special Guests Program July 3-5 with stops in Frisco and Arlington, Texas. Timmy Ruffino from Madisonville, La., and Tyler Sampson from Frisco, Texas, are the guests of honor because they are true Keepers of The Game.

KoTG will treat Timmy and the Ruffino family to a baseball-filled weekend. On the agenda is a Frisco RoughRiders game against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on July 3 at Dr Pepper Ballpark; a Texas Rangers game against the Los Angeles Angels on July 4 at Globe Life Park in Arlington; and another RoughRiders game, this time against the Arkansas Travelers, on July 5. Tyler and the Sampson family will be joining in for the July 5 main event. Numerous surprises are in store for the two families.

“Keeper of The Game is very excited to be celebrating the accomplishments of Timmy Ruffino and Tyler Sampson,” KoTG Executive Director Bryan Hoctor said. “We are grateful to everyone who helped make this happen. It is going to be a great weekend for Timmy, Tyler, their families and Keeper of The Game.”

The event is being made possible by the Texas Rangers, Frisco RoughRiders, Hilton Garden Inn Frisco, former big league pitcher Jim Abbott – an inspiration for Timmy and Tyler – and many generous online donations.

KoTG will have a booth set up at the top of Section 103 at Dr Pepper Ballpark on July 5. Fans can meet Timmy and Tyler, who will be signing autographs during the 5th and 6th innings. Numerous silent auction items will also be available, such as signed items from Abbott, Josh Hamilton, Joey Gallo, Jorge Alfaro, Andrew Faulkner, Nomar Mazara and Nick Williams. KoTG merchandise will be for sale, including shirts (black, royal blue, burnt orange and white), bracelets and helmet stickers.

KoTG was founded on Oct. 16, 2014 James Vilade, who is an assistant coach for Oklahoma State University. The mission of KoTG is to provide athletes with disabilities and special needs unique baseball experiences that foster the growth of those individuals and their love of baseball. KoTG promotes programs which allow these athletes to play, watch and experience baseball at a very personal level. This is all done with a focus on advancing servant leadership.

Read about Timmy Ruffino and Tyler Sampson:

Timmy Ruffino

Timmy Ruffino recently pitched his last game at Lake Castle Middle School in Southeast Louisiana. Timmy is not only a star pitcher and first baseman, he is on the 8th grade honor roll. He has been named to the Louisiana All State team the past three years and has won the Home Run Derby for his age in two of the past three years. Timmy played in the 12-and-under Disney International World Series for the Chaos, which is coached by Ben McDonald (former Baltimore Orioles and LSU pitcher). He hit a home run against Venezuela and pitched a complete-game victory in the Gold Medal Game.

Timmy enjoys helping kids with disabilities. For example, he recently helped out with a Walker Challenger Division equipment drive. Most of all, though, Timmy Ruffino is an inspiration. He excels on the baseball field with no right hand. He is constantly showing anyone who watches him that anything is possible.

When Timmy was six-years old he was told by his local recreation league that he would have to play in the handicapped league. Mike and Mickie Romano knew that Timmy was capable of playing in the regular league. The Romanos worked with Timmy for weeks on fielding ground balls and hitting. Timmy was given an evaluation and he scored in the top 25% of the league – for one age group up. He has not looked back since.

Timmy is now playing for the Louisiana Knights Showcase Program, coached by Jack Cressend. He plays on their 15-year old team, while occasionally joining their 16,17 and 18 roster. He has pitched against high school seniors and batted against kids throwing over 90 miles-per-hour. The confidence Coach Cressend shows in Timmy inspires him to excel. What Timmy wants everyone to know is that anything is possible, never accept “I can’t” or “you can’t,” and always be a leader.

Keeper of The Game is honored to have the Ruffino family as part of our team. Timmy’s parents, Tim and Crystal, and his little brothers, Keaton and Kohl, are truly Keepers of The Game. Our foundation is honored to play host to the Ruffino family as they take their first family vacation to Frisco and Arlington, Texas. They will be on the field at Dr Pepper Ballpark before a Frisco RoughRiders game and will see their first Major League Baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas – home of the Texas Rangers. Thank to Hilton Garden Inn Frisco for hosting the Ruffino Family during their visit to the Metroplex.

Tyler Sampson

Tyler Sampson just finished his eighth-grade year at Griffin Middle School in Frisco, Texas. He and his twin brother, Sterling, played football at GMS. They will be attending Lone Star High School, where Tyler plans to pitch for the Rangers baseball team.

Tyler pitches and also plays first base and outfield for the ProSource 14UAAA Athletics, who are coached by Chris Watkins. The Athletics will be competing in the USSSA 14U World Series in Colorado Springs, Colorado this summer.

Tyler was born with only part of his right arm. He a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and Frisco RoughRiders.  Tyler was one of five nationwide winners in the NFL’s “Together We Make Football” contest. Contestants submitted their own stories and the NFL chose 10 finalists, while the five winners were determined through an online vote. Tyler’s story touched and inspired tens of thousands all over the country. He was awarded tickets to Super Bowl XLVIII by his all-time favorite Dallas Cowboy, Demarcus Ware, at a GMS pep rally. The Sampson family got to attend many of the Super Bowl week festivities in New York City. Tyler, Sterling and their dad, Doug watched the game from a suite at Met Life Stadium.

Tyler and his family are involved in several charities which support veterans, amputees and others with disabilities, such as Adaptive Training Foundation, 22 Kill, Team Athletics, and of course, Keeper of The Game. Tyler’s mom, Cindy, is the co-host of a radio show on KVGI Radio. She recently had Keeper of The Game Founder, James Vilade, on the show to promote Keeper of The Game and tell the story of the foundation.

Tyler wants to continue to encourage and inspire anyone with a challenge in their life to never give up on their dreams and goals.

Keeper of The Game is honored to host the Sampson family on July 5 at Dr Pepper Ballpark for our special event and to watch the Frisco RoughRiders play the Arkansas Travelers.

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To learn more about KoTG, visit www.KeeperofTheGame.org, and follow the foundation on Facebook, Twitter (@BaseballKeepers) and Instagram (keeperofthegame).