Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Richard W. Rodriguez
Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt and his wife Jessica want to have an impact on their new home in Toronto.
The Bassitts have pledged to donate US$10,000 every time the Blue Jays win when Chris pitches this season, retroactive to Opening Day.
To date, the Bassitts have already committed $120,000 to the charity.
Proceeds from the Bassitts Pitch In program go to Jays Care’s RBI Summer Edition, a free sport-for-development program designed to enhance the mental and physical health of kids in under-resourced communities across Toronto.
More than 1,000 students from eight Toronto schools are participating in the program in 2023, which features inclusive baseball training, cooperative games, arts and crafts, and team-building, as a complement to summer school.
Jays Care has also hired and trained more than 300 youth from the community to help lead the program.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2023.
