The third official 60+ Baseball Classic began on a beautiful Saturday morning, October 5, 2024, at The John Carroll School, where the weather couldn’t have been better. The day kicked off at a sunny 63 degrees, with a nice breeze setting the stage for some great baseball. Players, donned in Orioles and mixed uniforms, demonstrated not only their love for the game but also the camaraderie that defines our community. Their love for the sport was palpable, and everyone rallied to bring equipment, helping to keep costs low. Players spent time socializing and warming up before Paul Houston’s soulful rendition of the National Anthem got everyone in the spirit, and by 10:00 AM, players and fans were ready for Game 1.

Game 1: Kicking off the day with excitement and friendly competition, squads A and B- dubbed the “Home team” played “Visitors” C and D. The game got off to a thrilling start with Gary Eikenberg delivering a long RBI single in the bottom of the first inning, setting the tone for an action-packed morning. Despite the home team’s mercy rule capping the official score at 9-2, squads A and B continued to push their lead, ending the game with an astounding 11-2 victory.

Flyover:  A military aircraft flew overhead about 15 minutes into Game 1, prompting a humorous moment from player John Kutcher, joking about a late-arranged flyover and announcing, “they’re late because they knew I was running this and figured we wouldn’t start on time.”

Game 2: Beginning promptly at 1:30 PM with Squads B and C versus A and D, the team (A and D) clinched a 10-7 win. One of the greatest moments in the game was when a sharply hit ball between 2nd and 3rd was expertly fielded by the home team shortstop, who rocketed the ball to first for the out. John said that this shows “Ninety feet between bases is one of nature’s magic numbers. The math just works for all age groups.” Another big moment was in the 6th inning when Greg Smith cleared the bases with a scorcher down the right-field line.

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.

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.

John Kutcher gave a great talk about the impact the Hamer Foundation has been able to make within the community at the 2024 60+ Classic and highlighted the Joshua Hamer Memorial Crab Feast coming up November 2nd. They are still looking for sponsors! If you have any interest in being a sponsor for the feast, please click the button above. Thank you!

The Baseball Legacy Society is dedicated to supporting families within our baseball community who have lost a beloved player or are facing a major/life threatening illness. Through this initiative, we provide resources, offer guidance, and create a space for families to share stories, honor legacies, and continue the lasting impact of their loved ones both on and off the field. The Legacy Society is an upcoming initiative without it's own dedicated page yet, but we hope to launch one soon. In the meantime, we look forward to providing updates and more information as we continue to develop this meaningful resource for our community.

Baseball 4 Causes, or B4C, is the 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.

Technology 4 Causes (T4C) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering other initiatives by offering advanced technology solutions and skilled personnel, making their operations more efficient and cost-effective.