By Isabel Gerheim
The sound of buzzing clippers recently replaced the crack of the bat at Seton Hill University, but the stakes felt just as high as a win.
Over the past eight years, the Seton Hill Baseball team traded their caps for a closer crop, shaving their heads to raise money and awareness for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s “Vs. Cancer” program. Over the years, the team has raised over $125,000 to fund care and research for lifesaving cures.
According to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s (PBTF) Instagram, the team’s recent “Vs. Cancer” game raised $18,521.
Beyond financial achievements, the team has built a lasting relationship with PBTF patient families, including a young boy named Joey who has attended the event on numerous occasions and took part in throwing the first pitch and running bases.
Junior catcher Jakob Haynes has participated in the event over the past three years. Haynes emphasized the connection with the families.
Player Jakob Haynes has his head shaved during the fundraiser event. Haynes and his teammates wore ‘I Am Vs. Cancer’ shirts to highlight the program’s partnership with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Photo provided by Kassidy White.
“We get into contact with families that their children have been affected with cancer,” Haynes shared. “Joey came two years ago so we had a zoom call with him before the event to learn more about his story and what he’s gone through.”
The team’s interaction and reasons for the support is grounded in a simple reality: “They are the same as us. We’re all there to play baseball and have fun and we’re there to support them and their families,” Haynes stated.
For Haynes, the event is a reminder of the commitment that is rooted in a sense of duty that goes beyond the scoreboard. “We have a bigger purpose in this life,” he explained. “For me, God has guided me to serve others.”
Despite the weight of the cause, the event is filled with camaraderie.
“Just shaving my head and raising money for these kids just makes me very grateful that I have the opportunity to do this because it will help them live the best life they can. That’s the goal,” Haynes stated.
“Seeing the smiles on their faces and then shaving our heads after we get the sweep of the day is the real fun part,” Haynes shared. “I’ll remember that for a long time.”
Head Coach Marc Marizzaldi believes the event teaches players “gratitude for the gifts they do have.” Haynes echoed this, noting that the children they help are the ones who truly set the example for the team.
Players Christian Zilli, left, and Jack Whalen, right, share a moment with Joey during Seton Hill Baseball’s fundraising event. Photo provided by Kassidy White.
“We all also look up to them. They’re fighting cancer and they’re the strongest kids,” Haynes said. “Giving that energy to these kids and lifting their spirits to overcome their challenges is one thing that this event shows.”
Marizzaldi highlighted that the event serves a deep purpose for his team by “[teaching] them the power of a united community and the positive impact people can make.”
Shaving one’s head is more than a tradition for the team, it serves as an act of solidarity. Marizzaldi observed that while some players are initially hesitant they chose to “lean into that discomfort, recognizing it’s a sign of support to the children battling cancer.”
“I believe our core foundation is relationships,” Marizzaldi stated. “A legacy is about what sustains once you’re gone, and to me, once their baseball careers are finished, it’s the relationships that last.”
By connecting with the PBTF, the Griffins are ensuring their legacy isn’t just measured in wins, but in the lives they’ve touched.
Head Coach Marc Marizzaldi has his head shaved during the team’s fundraising event. Marizzaldi joined his players in the initiative to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research. Photo provided by Kassidy White.