SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Dante Benedetti Foundation (DBF), an organization dedicated to helping San Francisco youth through the pursuit of sports, announced that the 10th Annual Dante Benedetti Baseball Classic will be held at AT&T Park on Saturday, March 28, 2015. In partnership with San Francisco RBI (SFRBI), the Foundation is bringing the joy of baseball to students in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). This partnership provides SFUSD students the opportunity to experience baseball by inviting them to be the Foundation’s guests at The Dante Benedetti Classic for free and allowing them to view the games at a big league ballpark.
The first game of the classic will feature the Bruce-Mahoney Trophy game at noon between St. Ignatius College Preparatory and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in the oldest high school athletic rivalry west of the Mississippi River. The University of San Francisco Dons and the St. Mary’s College Gaels are featured in the second game of the Classic doubleheader at 3 p.m.
Founded to honor the legacy of the longtime Dons’ baseball coach and San Francisco restaurateur, DBF works to provide financial support to organizations that give San Francisco youths access to baseball, in addition to funding the maintenance of fields, providing equipment and uniforms, and partnering with other Bay Area organizations to ensure all youth have a level playing field in the sport.
“Dante’s generosity to the youth of San Francisco sets a high bar, and we want to continue his legacy,” said Tom Lounibos, a board member for the Dante Benedetti Foundation who played for Benedetti at USF. “Playing under his guidance taught scores of young men not only teamwork and sportsmanship, but life lessons that have helped all of us in our careers. It’s been an honor to follow in his footsteps, and we are looking forward to record attendance at this year’s Classic.”
The Baseball Classic is the foundation’s main fund-raising event. Bay Area Little Leaguers dressed in their baseball uniform also will gain admittance to the games free of charge. For adults and others, general admission is $15. Tickets will be available at AT&T Park the day of the game and through participating schools.
“San Francisco RBI is proud to partner with the Dante Benedetti Foundation and donate 5,000 tickets to the Benedetti Classic to the children we serve in the San Francisco Unified School District and KIPP,” said Jim Messemer, San Francisco RBI Founder and Executive Director. “For our children to be able to attend a game at AT&T Park, some for the very first time, and cheer on the San Francisco Dons baseball team, who volunteer in our program, will be a lifelong memory.”
The Dante Benedetti 10th Annual Baseball Classic is sponsored by Airbnb, David Powell Financial Services, Inc., Don Francisco's Coffee, San Francisco Police Officers Association (SFPOA), San Francisco RBI (SFRBI), Blueback Global, Inc., SOASTA and Wells Fargo.
About Dante Benedetti Foundation
The mission of the Dante Benedetti Foundation is to facilitate active participation in sports for underserved youth. The organization works to preserve the legacy that Dante Benedetti left the San Francisco community by supporting the development of the next generation of Dante’s boys through the game of baseball. The Dante Benedetti Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation. For more information, please visit www.dantebenedetti.org.
