jews d
in
the
Pitch
Under The
Lights
Playing for kicks and a cause Aug. 15
at the old Tiger Stadium.
VIVIAN HENOCH
SPECIAL TO THE
JEWISH NEWS
PHOTOS BY
JOHN HARDWICK
TOP: Getting ready
with a fast pitch for
the event: Here’s
Blair Schwartz, avid
kickball player and
Pitch co-chair. RIGHT:
Preview of the “Field of
Dreams” at the Corner
Stadium: Justin Jacobs
(ComePlayDetroit)
Lauren Rubin (NEXTGen
Detroit), Abby Rubin
and Zack Slabotsky
(co-chairs) and
Tori Ramataboee,
(ComePlayDetroit).
DETAILS
Kickoff is at 6:30
p.m. Wednesday,
Aug. 15. Registration
and details are
online at
pitchfordetroit.com.
14
August 9 • 2018
I
t’s a new Pitch! In celebration of its eighth
year “pitching in for Detroit,” Federation’s
NEXTGen Detroit will kick off “Pitch Under
the Lights” — a night of good sports and
fundraising at the new Corner Ballpark ( for-
merly the old Tiger Stadium) in Detroit.
All funds raised this year by players, their
fans and cheerleaders will go directly to
the neighborhood organization Brilliant
Detroit and its literacy programming.
Hard to believe it was eight years ago
when NEXTGen Detroit threw that first
“Pitch for Detroit.” The event was a one-day
charity softball tournament, co-founded by
NEXTGen Detroit President-Elect Adam
Blanck and Benjy Gordon, with the goal “to
reconnect the growing numbers of young
adults returning to Metro Detroit and
engage them with the community through
sports and philanthropy.”
That first Pitch was a smash hit. Nearly
160 players and 500 spectators turned out
for a day at Drake Park and raised nearly
$50,000. Since then, the format has changed to a
friendly tournament of kickball and field games
(because everyone can play, and everyone loves
kickball and cornhole).
“We are re-imagining this year’s Pitch with
a weekday format and field games to comple-
ment kickball,” said Zack Slabotsky, event co-
chair with Abby Rubin and Blair Schwartz.
Blanck added, “Pitch has worked its way into
the vernacular of young Jewish Detroiters. We
now celebrate it as one of NEXGen Detroit’s
iconic events and plan it every summer to
showcase and celebrate new developments in
our city. Pitch is about the future of Detroit,
proof positive that it’s a great time to return,
work, live and play here.”
jn
With more than $250,000 in funds raised for
projects and organizations in Detroit over the
past seven years, Pitch continues to build on
its legacy. Past years’ funds have helped sup-
port the neighborhood hub at the Mack Lot;
for fans to enjoy, with ballpark food from Chef
Cari, music and classic field games everyone
can play.”
Justin Jacobs, CEO of ComePlayDetroit and
principal organizer of the tournament, said,
“We couldn’t have chosen a hotter destina-
tion in the city for this year’s Pitch. We’re
playing on brand new turf in a beautiful
stadium — really showcasing the impact
of NEXTGen Detroit’s new level of engage-
ment in neighborhood developments
Downtown.”
After Pitch, everyone is invited to cel-
ebrate on the patio at McShane’s Irish Pub
& Whiskey, where 10 percent of sales from
Pitch players and fans will be donated to
Brilliant Detroit.
THE PLAYING FIELD
added improvements to Bradby Park; provided
vital safety equipment to Firehouse Engine 33/
Ladder 13; subsidized rents for young adults
moving into the city; and awarded micro-grants
to small businesses and nonprofits seeking to
improve the city.
THE WOW FACTOR
With its change of venue and timing this year,
Pitch takes the field inside the Corner Ballpark
— new headquarters for the Detroit Police
Athletic League (PAL) and home of the Willie
Horton Field of Dreams in Corktown.
“When the sun goes down Aug. 15, we plan to
light up the night,” said Abby Rubin. “There will
be eight teams at tournament play and plenty
The Corner Ballpark at the corner of
Michigan and Trumbull has a long history.
Today it stands as a showcase for Detroit’s
resurgence and neighborhood redevelop-
ment, a destination for tourists, and a new field
playing host to sports leagues, tournaments
throughout the region, summer camps and PAL
programming year-round for kids from every
corner of the city.
“I was a PAL kid myself and I know it takes
a village to support and sustain our mission,”
said Detroit PAL Chief Operating Officer Robert
Jamerson. “The transformation of our historic
site is for everyone, from little leaguers to future
all-stars. We’re proud to give the next generation
a chance to play where some of the greats have
played.” •
Vivian Henoch is editor of Federation’s myjewishdetroit.org,
where a longer version of this story first appeared.