RBI Austin – Giving Back

Each year, we end the year by giving several donations to non-profits that we support. This year, one of the organizations we donated to was inspired by my son.

This spring, Ryan, my 16 year old son, tried out for the RBI Austin 18 year old regional baseball team. Not only did Ryan make the team (he was surprised since he was so young), but the team had great success. he and the team won their regional and qualified for the RBI World Series, held at DodgerTown in Vero Beach, Florida. There, Ryan was the starting pitcher in their first game, which happened to be against Puerto Rico RBI. With MLB network cameramen filming him, he pitched great (he pitched five innings, only giving up one run). Though our team gave up the lead and we lost in extra innings, it will be a memory and experience that will last with Ryan forever.

I want to help other kids have their own memories. While it provides high-level baseball to kids Ryan’s age, RBI Austin’s mission is to provide baseball and softball opportunities to young, economically-challenged kids. With a sliding scale of payment, RBI Austin offers kids from qualifying schools the opportunity to play for as little as $10 per season. This year, they had 1,491 kids participate on 91 different team, including increasing the number of participating girls by over 30%.

RBI Austin isn’t just letting the kids play — RBI is committed to letting these kids know they’re important. This year, RBI Austin refurbished two fields in East Austin so their kids can play on the same quality of fields kids like my son regularly use. RBI Austin also has mentoring programs to help provide mentors to as many of the kids as they can. RBI Austin takes the typical life lessons you learn in baseball and sports and amplifies those lessons.

This is work worth supporting. As a result, we chose RBI Austin as one of the beneficiaries of our annual holiday donations. Beyond that, my son is hoping to help coach a team this spring and summer as his time allows, and I hope to get out there and support these kids as well.