Welcome to the Lead Off Dinner!

The American Baseball Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization, organizes a fund raising dinner annually to foster its mission of providing community development through sport education. The theme of the annual dinner is to celebrate baseball’s new season, highlighting the sport’s character building aspects of overcoming failure and increasing self confidence through sport and academic skill dominance.

The ABF conducts a variety of educational programs designed to positively affect the lives of youngsters. Implementing seminars related to injury prevention for high-level pitchers and organizing grass roots reading, math and baseball programs for disadvantaged kids, the ABF serves myriad communities through sport education. Moreover, the ABF reaches out to diverse communities through its educational programs that serve  international baseball development.
The Lead Off Dinner annually features:

Baseball Legends: Tommy Lasorda 2002, Hank Aaron 2003, Don Newcombe 2004, Mark Prior 2005, Gaylord Perry 2006, Will Clark, Bo Jackson 2007, John Smoltz 2008. 

MLB Signers’ Corner: Ex MLB players sign photos for dinner participants.
Baseball Silent Auction: Features more than 100 items related to baseball.

Baseball Exhibitions: Theme related  exhibitions presented by local memorabilia organizations, local sporting goods companies and event sponsors.

Television coverage: Birmingham television stations cover the event
and its featured speakers.

Average Attendance: 500

Usual date: Late January or early February.

Photos

photo photophotophoto