About The ChangeUp Charity 

The ChangeUp Charity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Danny King, along with family and friends in 2023. The mission is to give financially burdened families a chance for their son or daughter to play the game of baseball or softball by helping offset associated costs.

"I consider myself lucky. I would never have gone far in baseball if it wasn't for the financial support of my family. It costs money to play and a lot of younger athletes are not given the opportunity to play because their family faces financial burdens. Without the chance to play, young athletes may never discover what true talents they have. The game of baseball and/or softball builds character and so many special traits such as teamwork, sacrifice, confidence, and leadership. Every young child deserves a chance to play."  -Danny

UNIVERSITY of northwestern ohio article

richland source article

Ontario grad starts baseball nonprofit for underprivileged youth

(Mansfield, OH) - Danny King, a 2021 graduate of Ontario High School, has started The Danny King ChangeUp Charity, a nonprofit geared towards helping financially-burdened youth athletes the chance to play baseball or softball by providing financial support and/or gently used equipment to families. The Charity plans to start awarding financial support to youth ball players beginning this fall.

Danny King, an incoming Junior at The University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima, earned a scholarship to play with UNOH Racers Baseball as a catcher. He paved his way to the college level by intense work on and off the field and by attending college combines. In 2020, he earned a spot on the College Scouting Bureau’s National Team, representing Ohio. He was starting catcher for Ohio Pitbulls Baseball within the Ohio Prospects League in Cleveland for three years in high school, and earned a scholarship from the National Amateur Baseball Federation after participating in the NABF World Series. 

“I’ve played baseball my entire life and I’ve worked extremely hard to play at the level I’m at, however, I have been lucky to have the financial support of my family,” states King. “It costs a lot of money to play baseball, especially travel teams, and there are young kids out there that aren’t as lucky as I have been and who face financial burdens. I wouldn’t be playing if it wasn’t for the support I’ve received.” 

The ChangeUp Charity will be providing financial support for items such as gloves, bats, gear, and team fees to eligible youth. Families are asked to fill out an application, which must be submitted to their team’s coach for oversight. Eligible families must 1) be 8-18 years of age, 2) be a resident of Ohio, 3) be able to turn their application over to their coach, and, 4) be able to show financial burden prohibiting their son or daughter to play. “Every young child deserves the chance to play baseball or softball,” states King. “This sport teaches so many life-long lessons and focuses on character development in areas such as leadership, sacrifice, commitment, discipline, failure, and teamwork. Without the chance to play, some kids might never tap into their true potential as a player and might not see how great they can be as a person.” The Charity will also be collecting gently-used equipment to help families as well.

Scott Russell, King’s father, is a Director on the Charity’s board. “I’ve seen Danny fall and I’ve seen him rise,” comments Russell. “He doesn’t give up and he strives to teach younger kids to believe in themselves like he had to learn to do. I believe this is another reason he’s been driven to start this Charity.” The Charity will be funded by individual and corporate donations as well as events such as hitting, catching, and pitching clinics by King, along with his friends and family. “Holding special clinics and camps is a perfect way to teach young players and to raise necessary funds for the Charity,” states Russell. Ohio Pitbulls Baseball has agreed to be one location King will host clinics at, which will be held at their new training facility in Seville, Ohio.

Because we value individual privacy, we work directly with area coaches and baseball or softball program directors. Coaches who have a player or players in need can contact us directly. Families seeking assistance must contact their son or daughter's coach, who in turn will communicate to us what the needs are. 

Who Can Apply?Coaches or program directors who have players ages 8-18 wishing to play baseball or softball can contact us for assistance. Student athletes must be a resident of the state of Ohio.

Types of Assistance
The ChangeUp Charity helps in the following ways:Financial:  
The amount depends on the need. Financial assistance helps cover the cost of mitts, bats, gear, cleats, team fees, etc.
Collected Items:  
Gently-used items are collected and available to families (i.e. like-new mitts, gear, bats). Keep in mind that children grow out of their equipment fast so families appreciate gently-used equipment compared to spending high dollars on brand-new, brand-name items.

FundingThe ChangeUp Charity is funded by:1. Individual and corporate donors2. Baseball clinics (i.e. fielding, pitching, batting, catching clinics)3. Organizational-run events4. Private lessons

QualificationsTo be considered, each player needing assistance must have the following qualifications:1.  The student athlete must be between the ages of 8 and 18. 2.  The student athlete must be an Ohio resident.3.  The student and/or the student's family must be able to describe a financial burden or need to their coach.

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