At the MLB Players Trust Gala in Phoenix, Sports Philanthropy Network’s Roy Kessel interviews Meredith Kim, CEO of Pitch In For Baseball & Softball. She shares her journey from fundraising to leading a global nonprofit that provides baseball and softball equipment to underserved children. Meredith highlights the power of sports in fostering confidence, friendships, and opportunities, as well as Pitch In’s partnerships with MLB, Little League, and major sponsors. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, she discusses the challenges of fundraising, the role of trust in nonprofit work, and ensuring donations create lasting impact.
MEREDITH KIM
Meredith Kim is the CEO of Pitch In For Baseball & Softball, a nonprofit organization dedicated to removing equipment barriers so that more children worldwide can access the game. With a background in fundraising and nonprofit leadership, Meredith joined the organization over a decade ago, blending her passion for baseball and softball with her expertise in securing resources for social impact. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its reach, partnering with MLB, Little League, and major equipment manufacturers to provide essential gear to underserved communities.
Born in South Korea and adopted as a child, Meredith credits baseball and softball for helping her adjust to life in the United States. Her personal experience fuels her dedication to ensuring that all children, regardless of financial circumstances, have the chance to play, grow, and succeed through sports. She believes that providing equipment is a solvable problem and that eliminating this barrier can open doors to lifelong opportunities and social connections.
Throughout her career, Meredith has focused on building trust with donors, sponsors, and community organizations to sustain and grow the organization’s impact. She has spearheaded innovative fundraising strategies and adapted to industry changes, especially during the pandemic, which reshaped nonprofit collaboration. As Pitch In celebrates its 20th anniversary, Meredith remains committed to expanding its mission, ensuring that more kids get in the game while fostering a lifelong love of baseball and softball.
PITCH IN FOR BASEBALL & SOFTBALL
Pitch In For Baseball & Softball is a nonprofit organization that provides baseball and softball equipment to underserved children worldwide, ensuring that financial barriers never prevent kids from playing the game. By collecting and distributing new and gently used gear, the organization empowers young athletes, giving them access to sports that foster teamwork, discipline, and confidence. Through partnerships with MLB, Little League, major league clubs, and corporate sponsors, Pitch In ensures that more children, schools, and community programs have the equipment they need to participate.
Founded on the belief that every child deserves the chance to play, the organization has expanded significantly under Meredith Kim’s leadership. Over the years, Pitch In has evolved beyond equipment donations, focusing on disaster relief, school-based programs, and targeted grants to create sustainable access to sports. In 2015, the organization shifted its model to include strategic partnerships with MLB clubs like the Los Angeles Dodgers, which helped further its reach and effectiveness.
As the organization celebrates its 20th anniversary, it continues to focus on growing youth participation and ensuring that baseball and softball remain accessible to future generations. By acting as a connector between donors, sponsors, and kids in need, Pitch In strengthens the sport’s foundation, ensuring that young athletes not only play but also develop the skills and opportunities that extend far beyond the field.
WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE
0:00-0:10 – Roy Kessel from Sports Philanthropy Network introduces Meredith Kim, CEO of Pitch In For Baseball & Softball, at the MLB Players Trust Gala in Phoenix, Arizona.
0:27-0:45 – Meredith shares that she joined Pitch In after having her second child, combining her fundraising background with her love for baseball and softball.
1:18-1:36 – As an adoptee from South Korea, she explains how sports helped her adjust to life in the U.S., build friendships, and find confidence in a new culture.
2:00-2:14 – Pitch In focuses on providing baseball and softball equipment to kids who otherwise couldn’t afford it, removing one of the biggest barriers to participation.
2:36-3:09 – Meredith emphasizes that fundraising is about relationships and aligning donors’ passions with the organization’s mission, treating it like a sales job for social good.
4:00-4:18 – The organization evolved in 2015 to focus on strategic partnerships with MLB, Little League, and corporate sponsors, shifting from used gear donations to a broader impact model.
5:01-5:26 – Meredith highlights how early access to baseball creates lifelong fans, benefiting not just children but also MLB teams, brands, and the industry’s future.
7:00-7:28 – Securing partnerships with MLB clubs took time, requiring trust, accountability, and proving impact, with pilot programs playing a crucial role in relationship-building.
9:00-9:26 – Pitch In ensures accountability by tracking impact stories, such as a young girl in the Bronx who had been using duct tape on her catcher’s gear until the organization provided new equipment.
12:00-12:18 – As Pitch In celebrates 20 years, Meredith emphasizes the power of baseball to change lives, calling for supporters to donate, follow, and spread awareness to help more kids play.
