Fans of the Cal Poly softball team can do more than watch a doubleheader against UC Davis on Saturday. They can join the Mustangs in striking out – striking out cancer, that is.
Cal Poly, along with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), is sponsoring the second annual Cal Poly StrikeOut Cancer Day at Bob Janssen Field to benefit the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.
“The more money we raise, the happier we’ll be,” Mustangs head coach Jenny Condon said. “Everyone’s been affected by cancer, so hopefully we’ll get some baseball fans donating, too.”
Last year, Cal Poly raised more than $2,400. Condon hopes next year the baseball team will co-sponsor the program.
The NFCA started it five years ago.
Participants will receive a pink T-shirt commemorating the day’s events if they donate $20, and a raffle ticket if they donate $10.
Raffle prizes will include softball shirts, clothes and gear from sponsors Under Armour and Easton Sports. The Cal Poly baseball team may donate prizes as well.
Fans have all of Saturday to donate, with the doubleheader starting at 4 p.m.
Throwing out a ceremonial pitch will be Cal Poly shortstop Melissa Pura’s father, a cancer survivor.
Former Cal Poly athlete and cancer survivor Bailey Brown threw the first pitch last year.
Pura, whose father has been in remission for about eight years, asked him to participate.
“I’m really close with my dad, and he went through a lot when I was younger,” she said. “He’s always been at my games and feels honored that I asked him to throw out the first pitch. We’re pretty excited that he gets to do something like this.”
For more information or to make a donation, contact Condon at 756-1539 or jacondon@calpoly.edu.