2026 Paul Smeton Classic (60+) Recap

Although Thursday morning began with steady rain and occasional thunder, the gloomy weather did little to deter the teams in the Over 60s Baseball League from the long day of baseball ahead. Players warmed up, exchanged friendly taunts, and prepared for their first game of the day which was held at Harford Community College at 9:00am and lasted seven innings. Held on June 18, the Over 60 Baseball Classic has become a cherished tradition for players who refuse to let a little rain stand in the way of reconnecting with old friends and renewing longtime rivalries. By the time teams headed from Harford Community College to the John Carroll Baseball Field for a nine-inning game, the rain had cleared and the sun had emerged, creating the perfect conditions for a day of baseball.

Congratulations to Squad A, our overall winners and Squad C, our runner ups!

Last year at the Over 60 2025 Summer Classic, Paul Smeton was recognized as one of the fist Living Legacies for the Baseball Legacy Society. The living legacy award program honors individuals who have demonstrated a lifelong love for the game of baseball and recognizes both their career and service, accomplishments and passions. This year, we were glad to welcome Paul back once again for the Over 60s 2026 Summer Classic.

Paul's involvement with causes that support young people is key to his identity. He "likes seeing young people be given an opportunity and a pathway to having a better life in the future." Paul was one of the founding sponsors of the Technology 4 Causes Transformation Guild because it aligns with his passion for quality education and pushing young people to go beyond their comfort zones. He also supports education through The Legacy Project at Saint Casimir Catholic School in Baltimore City. Additionally, Paul serves Baseball 4 Causes as a program chairperson for the Over 60 Series, shaping future events with his vision and energy.

After the game, several participants and supporters decided to join us for the annual Baseball 4 Causes Cookout hosted at the Kutcher family home! The cookout gave participants the opportunity to bond over a hearty meal catered from Mission Barbecue consisting of pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, and more with an assortment of beverages. In addition to the food, guests were also treated to a lively environment featuring live music, volleyball, and a pool side view. The live music specifically was a skillful electronic performance by Steven Kutcher, Alex Way, and Shane Schisler that crafted a sociable mood for the evening. The performance acted as a delightful backdrop for laughter and conversation. After the high intensity game, guests were able to appreciate the relaxed setting to catch up with old friends and get to know new ones. By the end of the evening, everyone left with great memories of another sucessful year for B4C's Over 60s Summer Classic.

Joshua Hamer, born April 2nd, 2001, in Denton, Texas, was a talented, joyful young man and player #25 on The John Carroll School's Patriots Baseball Team. With a passion for all sports, but especially baseball, Joshua excelled academically and was loved by all. Tragically, in 2017, at the age of 15, he lost his life in a car accident on his way to school. In 2017, the Joshua Hamer Memorial was established to help provide financial support for students to give them the opportunity to attend John Carroll. Over $120,000 in aid has been provided, creating a life altering trajectory for many recipients. In 2023 the Josh Hamer Legacy Foundation was established to expand support for college scholarships. In its first year, the scholarship has already helped three students, and the goal is to continue changing lives one person at a time.

The Transformation Guild is a mentoring program of Technology 4 Causes, which was launched by the Kutcher Foundation in collaboration with DICORP, Inc. to create a powerful philanthropic impact through the multiplying forces of technology. The Guild is dedicated to harnessing the power of writing and technology to create a positive impact in society. Our primary focus is to engage and inspire young writers to craft compelling stories that encourage involvement in non-profit organizations and charitable initiatives. By providing guidance and instruction through mentorship, we ensure that these young writers receive the necessary support to thrive. Through participation in this program, they gain invaluable experience while contributing to a greater cause.

B4C has partnered with BUBA on several initiatives. The Baltimore Urban Baseball Association is a Baltimore-based nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives through baseball and softball. Founded with a mission to increase opportunities for youth in underserved communities, BUBA uses sports as a vehicle for mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, character building, and community empowerment. 

Baseball 4 Causes, or B4C, is the baseball philanthropic branch of Technology 4 Causes, a non-profit organization focused on using technology and support services to make a positive impact. B4C aims to create a positive influence within the baseball community and the local community at large through various initiatives by staging events, providing a community platform, and helping other organizations run charitable events.

The mission of Technology 4 Causes (T4C) is to support specialized assistance programs and charitable initiatives, expanding their positive impact through the multiplying powers of technology, networking, and collaboration.

The vision of Technology 4 Causes is to operate numerous Mentoring Programs, Technology Assistance Programs, Sports 4 Causes Programs, and Helping Hubs. The combination of these initiatives creates a powerful multiplying effect for all T4C activities powered by a common technology platform and philanthropic infrastructure.