Number of Participants: 81
Hours Donated: 4
Value of Time Served: $2,738
Event Amount Raised: $7,761
Event Type: Sports & Recreation
Sport: Baseball
School: Fairport Senior High School
Date: May 4, 2024
Location:
Penfield High School
High School Drive, Penfield
NY
About:
The Strike Out Cancer event has been a cherished tradition for about fifteen years, with Fairport High School and Penfield High School baseball programs collaborating since its inception. What began as a small initiative has grown significantly, with the schools raising $3,000 three years ago and surpassing their $7,700 goal this year by raising $7,761 for the Lipson Cancer Institute.
Event planning starts in the off-season when the baseball programs identify a community member with a cancer diagnosis to honor. They work with this honoree to recognize the medical organization that treated them. This year, Coach Bringley, a Penfield coach, teacher, and resident, was honored for his treatment at Lipson Cancer Institute. Together, the Strike Out Cancer Committee and Lipson Cancer Institute identified the needs of future patients and created Coach’s Corner at Lipson Cancer Institute, which will provide patient care including medical transportation, blankets, hats, and financial assistance.
Fundraising efforts involve sponsors who donate money, time, or goods. Crazy Dog T-Shirts, the biggest sponsor, designs and donates hundreds of t-shirts that are sold, with all proceeds going to the cause. Food trucks, such as JoJo Cool Bus and Rob’s Kabobs, contribute a portion of their sales to the event.
The Fairport and Penfield JV and Varsity teams dedicate their day to playing and participating in pre-game ceremonies. Players promote the event by wearing their shirts to school, encouraging others to attend and support. The Strike Out Cancer Committee also involves school and government officials, local news outlets, and organizes a first pitch for youth community members for both JV and Varsity games.
Held at Bachman Field, part of Penfield Little League, this event unites both JV and Varsity teams from Penfield and Fairport. Crazy Dog T-Shirts, a local Rochester company, plays a crucial role by providing the shirts for the charity event. Student athletes collaborate with Crazy Dog staff and the honoree to design the shirts, create social media promotions, and raise funds.
Players from all levels, from Mod B to Varsity, participate in the event. Each year, the committee and coaching staff work with local Little League communities to select four Little Leaguers to throw out the first pitch. This year, Fairport chose a young player currently battling cancer at URMC Golisano Children’s Hospital for the Varsity game.
For the Penfield Varsity team, the day began with their participation in the Annual Penfield Little League Opening Day Parade, where they led the parade, greeted Little League players, and signed posters for Coach Bringley and Lipson Cancer Center to show support.
The event has become a community favorite, bringing together families, alumni, school administrators, superintendents, school boards, and local town supervisors. This year, an estimated 300 people attended the games, supporting Rochester Regional’s Lipson Cancer Institute and Coach Bringley.
Honoring Coach Scott Bringley was significant for the Penfield Baseball Program. With over 20 years in the Penfield District, he is the Varsity Golf Coach for Girls and Boys and coaches Modified Boys Basketball. Many players have had Coach Bringley as a teacher or coach. He is the third recipient of the Strike Out Cancer Award, an honor introduced in 2022 by Penfield Head Coach Nick Marcin. Previously, funds from the event were donated to the American Cancer Society.
The two teams believe that having an honoree and a local charity makes the event more meaningful.
