Step Up to the Plate: NBC Baseball Foundation Day of Giving

Step Up to the Plate and Donate Now

The National Baseball Congress Baseball Foundation is stepping into the batter’s box with something entirely new: “Step Up to the Plate Day,” the organization’s inaugural Day of Giving scheduled for October 15, 2025. This grassroots fundraising initiative invites baseball fans, alumni, and community members to support the foundation’s mission of preserving baseball history and developing future talent.

“Just like Hap Dumont took a chance on bringing Satchel Paige to Wichita in 1935, we’re trying something bold,” said NBC Baseball Foundation Director Katie Woods. “We’re asking our community to step up and show that grassroots baseball still matters—that the stories, the players, and the dreams that happen here are worth preserving and supporting.”

The campaign centers on meaningful giving levels that directly connect donations to tangible impacts, from the $19.35 “Leadoff Hitter” level (honoring NBC’s 1935 founding) to the $1,935 “Lawrence Dumont Legacy” level. Each contribution addresses real needs within the NBC community, whether it’s providing hydration for players during tournament games or funding travel stipends for teams making the journey to Wichita.

“Every dollar tells a story,” explained NBC Board Chair Jessica Viramontez. “When someone gives $90 at our ‘Kaiser’s Crew’ level, they’re not just making a donation—they’re sponsoring two kids for a baseball clinic, complete with instruction, camp t-shirts, and giveaways. They’re creating memories that could last a lifetime.”

The foundation has secured a matching gift challenge of up to $10,000, meaning every contribution will be doubled on October 15. The match was inspired by stories of NBC innovation, including Hap Dumont’s experimental “glo-ball” fluorescent baseballs in the 1950s and his introduction of the first female umpire in organized baseball in 1943.

“Hap was always experimenting, always trying to make baseball better and more accessible,” noted NBC Legacy Committee chair Dallas Brewton. “Our ‘Hap’s Innovation’ giving level at $250 honors that spirit by supporting everything from umpire sponsorships to our historical archiving project.”

The timing of the campaign deliberately precedes the holiday giving season, positioning grassroots baseball as a worthy cause during the sport’s postseason excitement rather than competing with year-end charitable appeals.

“This isn’t just about raising money,” emphasized director Katie Woods, “It’s about showing that grassroots baseball—the kind that happens in small towns and big dreams—still has a place in American sports culture, and in Wichita.”

The NBC Baseball Foundation, established to support amateur baseball development and preserve the rich history of the National Baseball Congress, has provided opportunities for thousands of players over nine decades. Alumni include Major League stars like Roger Clemens, Ozzie Smith, Alex Gordon, and countless others who credit their NBC experience with shaping their careers. All donations to the NBC Baseball Foundation 501c3 are tax-deductible. The NBC’s EIN number is 46-3773723.

For more information about Step Up to the Plate Day or to make a contribution, visit nbcbaseball.com or follow the NBC Baseball Foundation on social media @NBCBaseball. Click here to donate.

Ways to donate to the NBC Baseball Foundation

• Click Here to donate online with credit card or through PayPal
• Checks addressed to the National Baseball Congress can be mailed to 3700 E Douglas Avenue #70, Wichita KS 67208
• With questions, email director Katie Woods at katie@nbcbaseball.com or call 316-295-3762
• NBC Baseball Foundation EIN 46-3773723