In November 2023, Portland Public Schools were on strike. Not only having an effect on the teachings of the students, it also interfered with Adley Rutschman hosting his second annual “Friends of Rutsch,” a baseball clinic for grade school kids.
Rutschman teamed up with Friends of Baseball, a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance children’s lives through baseball’s power to teach, to host the clinic on December 9, at the Portland Expo Center. Kids received new shoes, a backpack, a poster and lunch to go.
Rutschman, a 2023 All-Star and Silver Slugger, grew up in Sherwood, Oregon, and attended Oregon State after graduating from Jefferson High School. He fulfilled his promise to host his free baseball clinic, regardless of the situation.
“It was cool to see everyone smiling and laughing,” Rutschman said. “This is where I grew up, and I feel a special connection to here and to the people here.”
Various schools around the area donated their time to give the gift of baseball to hundreds of grade school kids. Rutschman’s father, Randy Rutschman, was also in attendance to help out with the free camp.
“We’re trying to produce hope. We want kids to have that opportunity,” Randy said. “The things that sports and music and theatre, those things can build social, emotional development, accountability, dealing with adversity. Right now, especially after COVID, it’s crucial. Sports have become more crucial.”
The camp Rutschman held included over a hundred kids, who were led through baseball stations, had a question and answer session, played various baseball-related games and more. Rutschman even held one-on-one sessions with each participant and signed autographs for the attendees.
Rutschman is a homegrown All-Star who has wanted to give back to his community from the beginning. Being able to host a camp like this and providing kids with role models and heroes while putting smiles on these kids’ faces can have an impact for a lifetime.
“There is a sense of satisfaction that comes with giving back, and that’s definitely a benefit and is a reason you do it,” Rutschman said. “But, I think you reshape your mind in order to think that this is having a bigger impact than just you giving back. It’s really about the kids’ experience and giving them something they can remember and build off of and just trying to make sure they have a good time. Even that hour, or two hours, that you give, hopefully, goes further than just today.”
For the kids, they get to spend time with their hometown hero. But for Adley, it’s giving back to the community that helped shape and make him who he is today.
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