Strike Out for Cancer is Lockport’s baseball charity event where they partner with CC2 Forever Foundation to raise awareness and support research in the fight against cancer. The Strike Out for Cancer game is a tribute to Connor Christian and was inspired by the Mark Staehely Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Connor Christian was a Lockport Baseball player with a lot of heart. He had a very kind soul and everyone around him felt welcomed and uplifted whenever he was around. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with stage 4 Glioblastoma. Although aware of these dreadful circumstances, Connor Christian never gave up and was determined to overcome it. Tragically, on July 30th, 2021, he passed away. He left a lasting impact on many, and instilled values of kindness, leadership, humility, and maturity in all of his fellow peers at Lockport.

This event is very dear to many people, including players and everyone involved, as they unite to show their support for those who have been impacted by cancer in the past, those who are currently fighting it, or those who have lost their lives to it. Players have custom jerseys representing those they know who have had or have cancer on the back of their jersey. The players give it their all, and everyone gets a chance to play and support the cause. Many offer their support through monetary donations, contributing goods, or volunteering services. To get admission into the game there is a fee of $5 or the $20 offer with food and drinks included. There are raffles for gift baskets and a 50/50 raffle, where you can purchase tickets for a chance to win these prizes. All proceeds from these events will be donated to the fight against cancer.

As a former player for the baseball team, I always make an effort to go watch this game in particular due to its positive impact on both the foundation and the school as a whole. Like previous years, this year’s event had a fantastic turnout. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was amazing, and the game was great to watch as the players laid it all out on the field. In the coming years, we hope that you are able to support the cause and experience the impact that Connor Christian and the foundation have had in the community.