Seeking alumni donations isn’t just about fundraising—it’s about connecting with former students. By tapping into emotional motivators like nostalgia, recognition, and shared impact, you can inspire former students to stay engaged and give back.
How to Run a Baseball Hit-a-Thon Fundraiser
Here, we’ll show you the A-Z of Baseball-Hit-A-Thons, including planning, tracking donations, and ideas on how to organize and promote it.
Baseball Hit-a-Thon Guide Table of Contents
1
Step by Step Guide
Everything you need to know about starting a Baseball-Hit-A-Thon, from A-Z.
2
Baseball Hit-a-Thon 101
Learn what makes Baseball-Hit-A-Thons unique and how they’re valuable fundraisers.
3
What is an "A-Thon" & How Does it Work?
Thon’s can be a powerful fundraising tool.
4
What do you need to run a Baseball Hit-a-Thon?
The tools, support, and volunteers you’ll need for a successful Baseball-Hit-A-Thon.
5
Using a Baseball Hit-a-Thon to Fundraise
How to raise money with Baseball-Hit-A-Thons.
6
Templates, Ideas, Tools, & Resources
Kickstart your Baseball-Hit-A-Thon using curated templates and tools.
7
Baseball Hit-a-Thon Theme Ideas
Get inspired with our Baseball-Hit-A-Thon theme examples.
Run Your Hit-a-Thon for FREE With FutureFund!
Baseball Hit-A-Thons make great fundraisers. They promote physical activity and they’re fun to watch—which means they attract plenty of donations for schools, extra-curricular programs, or clubs.
Run your Hit-a-Thon for free with FutureFund!
The Steps to Running Your Hit-A-Thon
Step One: Choose a Date & Theme
- Choose the date of your Hit-A-Thon three months before the event. Hit-A-Thons usually take place on a single day, so choose a date that doesn’t conflict with other school plans and make sure to check the weather in advance.
- Make sure your PTA coordinates with the school ahead of time and that the school athletic field will be open.
Baseball Hit-A-Thon Planning Infographic and Checklist
Use these templates to keep your Baseball Hit-A-Thon planning on track:
Step Two: Call for Volunteers
- Put out a call for volunteers two months before the event. Use FutureFund’s built-in messaging system to reach the parents and volunteers most likely to participate.
- Make sure your call for volunteers clearly states what cause or project the Hit-A-Thon will support.
- Perform background checks for any volunteers who need to be on campus during the event (if required by your school).
Example Volunteer Positions for Hit-A-Thons
- Event Coordinator: Oversee the entire event, including planning, execution, and post-event activities.
- Registration Team: Manage participant sign-ups, distribute information packets, and handle day-of-event registration.
- Field Setup Crew: Prepare the baseball field for the event, set up banners, and ensure safety measures are in place.
- Scorekeepers and Statisticians: Keep track of hits, distances, and other relevant statistics during the event.
- First Aid Station Volunteers: Provide basic first aid and handle any medical emergencies or injuries.
- Cleanup Crew: Responsible for post-event cleanup, ensuring the field and surrounding areas are left tidy.
- Photographer/Videographer: Capture moments from the event for future promotion or as keepsakes for participants.
Step Three: Choose Student Incentives
- Incentives motivate students to register for your Hit-A-Thon and collect pledges. Each student should have a specific fundraising goal—usually between $200-$400.
- It’s better to offer incentives to the class or group that correctly hits the most pitches than to individual students, as this is a more cost-effective way to motivate groups and can also discourage unhealthy competition. Try an ice cream social or a pizza party for the best results.
Step Four: Create Your Hit-A-Thon’s Campaign
Use FutureFund to create a Pledge-A-Thon campaign and provide your campaign details.
Make sure your campaign has the following elements:
- A clear and compelling event description and rules, including what the money raised will go towards and what the incentives will be for participating students.
- A leaderboard that shows the grades and teachers for each participating class, along with how much each has raised. These are fully customizable in FutureFund, so you can create custom categories for each Hit-A-Thon.
- A template students can use to collect pledges from members of the school community. FutureFund provides a sample template for this in all A-Thon campaigns, which you can modify to include the specific details of your event.
Sample Baseball Hit-A-Thon Rules Template
Here’s a Canva template of sample Baseball-Hit-A-Thon rules. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Step Five: Announce the Event & Sign-Up Students
- Send out an announcement of your Hit-A-Thon to the school community two weeks before the event begins and request that students sign up to participate.
- Share the news in as many places as possible—use the school newsletter, morning announcements, and FutureFund’s messaging system to tell everyone why the event is important and how they can be part of it.
- Use FutureFund to send follow-up messages every other day leading up to the event to encourage participation.
- On the first day of the event, send a kickoff announcement to get the school community excited about the event and encourage them to keep offering support.
Sample Email for Student Sign-Ups
Subject: Step Up to the Plate at [School Name]’s Baseball Hit-A-Thon!
Hello Students,
Get ready to swing into action with our annual Baseball Hit-A-Thon! This event is more than just hitting baseballs; it’s a chance to show off your batting skills, support our school, and enjoy a day filled with sportsmanship and fun.
Why should you participate?
- Showcase your batting prowess in various hitting challenges.
- Help raise funds for [insert cause or school project].
- Earn recognition and great rewards for your athletic talents.
How to Sign Up:
It’s simple! Just visit this link and follow the steps: [insert FutureFund link]. You’ll also get a link to share with friends and family to collect pledges for each hit you make.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or just love baseball, this event is for everyone. Let’s hit some home runs and have a blast together!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[School or Name of School Group]
You can also use this Canva template to keep a copy of your email script handy. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Sample Follow-Up Email to Donors
Subject: Your Support is a Home Run – [School Name] Baseball Hit-A-Thon Update!
Dear [Donor’s Name],
As our Baseball Hit-A-Thon moves forward, we want to thank you for your incredible support. Your contributions are helping us foster a love of sports among our students and assisting us in reaching our goal for [insert specific goal or cause].
Current Update:
- [Number of students] have signed up to showcase their batting skills!
- We’ve reached [percentage] of our fundraising goal.
There’s still time to encourage and support our players through FutureFund at [insert link]. Your generosity is vital to our success and is deeply appreciated by our entire school community.
With warm regards,
[Your Name]
[School or Name of School Group]
You can also use this Canva template to keep a copy of your email script handy. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Sample Email for the Final Day Before the Hit-A-Thon
Subject: The Final Inning Approaches for the [School Name] Baseball Hit-A-Thon!
Hello [Name of School] Students & Families!
We’re just a week away from our Baseball Hit-A-Thon, and excitement is in the air! Our students are gearing up for a day of impressive hits and spirited competition.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Only one week left to secure your pledges! Don’t miss out on making a last-minute contribution via FutureFund at [insert link].
- Come cheer on our young athletes on [Date] at [Location]. Be there for the awards ceremony where we’ll celebrate their achievements and honor top hitters!
Let’s make this final week a grand slam success. Your encouragement and support are crucial in making a difference for our school and students. Let’s round the bases to a fantastic finish!
See you on our field of dreams,
[Your Name]
[School or Name of School Group]
You can also use this Canva template to keep a copy of your email script handy. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Templates for Promoting Your Baseball Hit-A-Thon
Here are some Canva templates to help you spread awareness for your Baseball Hit-A-Thon on social media and in your community! Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Canva Baseball-Hit-A-Thon Template for Instagram Story
Canva Baseball-Hit-A-Thon Template for Instagram Post
Canva Baseball-Hit-A-Thon Template for Printable Poster
Example caption: Support [insert school name]’s Hit-A-Thon from [insert date]. Help our school community raise money for [insert cause] by registering to hit as many pitches as possible!
Step Six: Find Sponsors
Ask local businesses to sponsor the Hit-A-Thon. This can help your PTA reach your fundraising targets while business owners get exposure and positive PR.
Make sure to explain how each sponsor’s contribution will be recognized. For example, you could:
- Hang a banner in the gym with sponsor logos during the event.
- Offer branded water bottles or other swag to participants.
- Add sponsors to your school’s online store using FutureFund.
Types of Sponsorship:
- Direct donations—either towards your fundraising goal or to help cover the costs of supplies.
- Corporate matching is where a business makes a donation equal to all or a portion of the funds you raise from the community.
- Selling sponsorships on FutureFund via advertising on your campaign page.
Step Seven: Host the Hit-A-Thon
Finally, the day of the event will arrive—and if you’ve followed all the steps above, you should have everything you need to make it a smash hit! Here’s an example schedule:
Morning Session
- 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Volunteer and Staff Arrival and Setup: Volunteers and staff arrive to set up the field, registration tables, food stands, and other necessary stations.
- 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Participant Registration and Warm-Up: Participants arrive, check in at the registration table, and begin warming up on the field.
- 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Opening Ceremony: Welcome speech by the event coordinator, explanation of the day’s events and rules, and a group warm-up session.
- 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Hit-A-Thon Main Event (Round 1): Participants are divided into groups based on age or skill level and take turns hitting. Each participant gets a set number of pitches to hit.
Lunch Break
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch and Entertainment: Break for lunch with food available for purchase. Entertainment could include music, a guest speaker, or a mini-skill clinic.
Afternoon Session
- 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Hit-A-Thon Main Event (Round 2): Continuation of hitting rounds. Participants who didn’t get a chance in the morning or who wish to improve their score can hit again.
- 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Special Challenges and Fun Rounds: Fun and unique hitting challenges, like hitting a target, home run derby-style rounds, or hitting while blindfolded (with safety precautions).
- 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Cool Down and Cleanup: Participants and volunteers engage in a cool-down session and begin cleaning up the field and surrounding areas.
Evening Session
- 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Awards Ceremony: Awards and recognition for top hitters, most funds raised, best sportsmanship, etc.
- 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Closing Remarks and Departure: Thank you speech by the event coordinator, final fundraising tally announcement, and the official end of the event.
- 5:30 PM onwards: Final Cleanup and Staff Departure: Volunteers and staff complete the final cleanup and pack up equipment and materials.
Post Event
- One Day After the Event: Send a thank-you message to donors with FutureFund and update them on your school group’s progress.
- One Week After the Event: Hold the student celebration event (ice cream social or pizza party) for the winning class or grade!
Baseball Hit-a-Thon 101
What is a Baseball Hit-a-Thon?
A baseball hit-a-thon is essentially turning a baseball tournament into a fundraiser. Similar to other a-thons, like read-a-thons or walk-a-thons, baseball hit-a-thons use a peer-to-peer fundraising model.
People sign up as baseball teams and then ask their friends, family, and coworkers to support them through pledges. This allows you to reach a much larger donor pool.
Baseball Hit-a-Thon Goals & Rules
Treat these as a base and feel free to tailor these to suit your specific event.
Length of Time
Most Baseball-Hit-A-Thons take place over the course of a single day, but you can make it a multi-day event easily—as long as you have enough volunteers. For single day events, weekend days when classes aren’t in session normally work best. Multi-day events can be held for a few hours after school each day during a week or so.
Baseball Hitting Goal
The easiest way to organize this part of the Hit-A-Thon is by providing students with a certain number of balls to hit based on the amount of pledges they raise. For example, you could provide one pitch per every $20 raised.
Grade Considerations
Baseball-Hit-A-Thons are appropriate for students of all ages—but you may want to modify the rules to accommodate younger students so that everything stays fair and fun (i.e. changing the pitching distance, adding a tee, etc.)
Pledge Collection
Start telling students about the Baseball-Hit-A-Thon at least two weeks before it starts.
Students should be signed up in your fundraising system so they can gather donations for at least seven days before the fundraiser starts (although it’s still okay to take last-minute sign-ups).
Confirm That Everyone Knows What to Do
On the day the fundraiser starts, be sure to re-explain the rules and encourage students to continue fundraising.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baseball Hit-a-Thons
How does a baseball hit-a-thon work?
Participants register as teams, anywhere from 9 to 26 players. Each team pays a registration fee, which helps cover the costs of the tournament. Then, the teams collect pledges from family, friends, and coworkers.
After each team has a few weeks to fundraise, the baseball tournament is held. The teams play one another until there is a winner. Typically, there is a prize for the winners to help inspire some friendly competition.
Where should you host your baseball hit-a-thon?
Baseball hit-a-thons are fairly easy to plan. The main thing you’ll have to plan is finding a baseball diamond.
Any community field should work, ideally close to your school. Just make sure you book it well in advance, so you’re not struggling to find a venue come baseball season.
How should participants form teams?
Before players make teams, you should create some ground rules around the following:
- Number of players
- Age
- Gender
For example, if students are participating, you’ll want to make sure each team has a similar number of children. So you could make a rule saying each team needs at least 3 kids under 12.
Are baseball hit-a-thons good fundraisers?
Baseball hit-a-thons are tons of fun, especially if families in your area are big baseball fans. They’re easy to participate in, plus participants get the support of their teammates when fundraising.
How do I use FutureFund to track my fundraiser’s success?
FutureFund gives you the ability to generate financial reports for fundraising campaigns in just a few clicks. To do this, navigate to Store and click the Reports tab near the top of your screen. Then choose Campaign Summary from the drop-down menu and click Generate Report.
Can volunteers for my Hit-A-Thon sign up automatically through FutureFund?
Yes—FutureFund lets you create a list of the volunteer positions you’ll need to fill, then add a volunteer page to your registration portal so parents can sign up in just a few simple clicks. See the steps for signing up volunteers here.
FutureFund is FREE for Schools
Schools that sign up get full access to all of FutureFund’s features—it’s always free and it always will be.
What is a “Thon”?
Thon’s Are Fun & Effective Event-Based Fundraisers
An “a-thon” is a peer-to-peer style fundraiser that involves participating in a certain activity and gathering donations for participating in said activity.
The activity can be almost anything, from reading to running to bowling. No matter what activity you choose, the premise is the same. Participants commit to doing the activity (reading a certain amount of books, running a certain distance) and ask their friends, family, and coworkers to support them.
A-thons work great because you reach a huge donor pool through peer-to-peer fundraising. People are also more likely to donate since participants are “working” in return for the donations.
What Do You Need to Run a Baseball Hit-a-Thon?
Power it With FutureFund
FutureFund’s built-in pledge campaigns allow you to easily collect money and keep donations/pledges organized. Since parents cover payment processing fees, 100% of the funds raised go to your school!
FutureFund is easy to use - for everyone
FutureFund makes running a baseball hit-a-thon easy for everyone. Easier for PTAs to run, for students and parents to participate, and for donors to donate.
Accept online donations
Instead of dealing with paper pledge forms and cash and cheques, FutureFund takes the process online. Donors can donate instantly online with their credit or debit cards.
A single tool to power your entire Thon!
FutureFund makes it easy to track how the fundraiser is going. Easily view how much money has been raised and more with detailed reporting.
Using a Baseball Hit-a-Thon for Fundraising
Consider the below when organizing your baseball hit-a-thon. Spending a bit of time up front getting organized from an admin and donation perspective will save a lot of time and potential frustration later.
Managing and organizing pledges
Each student will sign up as a participant in the fundraiser. Then, they can collect pledges individually by credit or debit card. You can also accept cash pledges, but be mindful of properly storing and tracking cash you collect.
If you are using FutureFund, you can record these pledges and they will automatically count towards the student’s total and the grand total for the fundraiser.
Donor information and donation management
Before launching your fundraiser, confirm what records you need to collect from donors.
If you are using FutureFund, it’s easy for students to sign up, especially if their information is already in the system. You can bulk sign up entire grades or classes. All donor payments are automatically entered into the system, so you can instantly see each student’s total and the grand total.
Make sure you accept online donations
Fundraising campaigns that accept online donations perform much better than fundraisers that only accept cash or check.
If you are using FutureFund, you can accept payments online. Donors are given a donation link and can pay by credit or debit card. Any cash donations can also be noted in the system to be collected later.
Baseball Hit-a-Thon Templates & Resources
Planning Resources
Use these templates to keep your Baseball-Hit-A-Thon planning on track:
Sample Baseball-Hit-A-Thon Rules
Eligibility and Registration
- All students who wish to participate must register by [insert deadline].
- A signed consent form from a parent or guardian is required for participants under 18.
Pledge Collection
- Participants are encouraged to collect pledges either per hit or as a flat donation.
- All pledges should be recorded and submitted through FutureFund via the links provided to each participant upon registration.
Safety First
- Helmets and protective gear must be worn by all batters.
- Only official school baseball equipment is to be used. Personal bats or balls are not allowed unless approved by the event coordinator.
Batting Rules
- Each participant gets a set number of pitches to hit based on pledges raised.
- Hits will be counted only if they land within designated fair territory.
Behavior and Sportsmanship
- Participants and spectators are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.
- Any disruptive behavior may result in disqualification.
Spectator Rules
- Spectators must remain in designated areas during the event.
- Encouragement and positive cheering are welcomed; however, avoid coaching or instructing the participants.
Volunteer and Staff Roles
- Volunteers will be assigned roles such as pitch counter, field marker, and scorekeeper.
- Volunteers are responsible for ensuring the safety and fairness of the event.
Weather and Cancellations
- In the event of inclement weather, the Baseball-Hit-A-Thon may be rescheduled.
- Information about cancellations or changes in the schedule will be communicated in advance.
Awards and Recognition
- Recognition will be given for various achievements, such as most hits, most funds raised (per grade or class), and best sportsmanship.
- All participants will receive a certificate of participation.
Post-Event Activities
- Results will be announced at the end of the event or through school communications.
- A celebration or recognition ceremony may be held for participants and top fundraisers.
Equipment and Facility Usage
- All participants are expected to use the equipment and facilities responsibly.
- Any damage to school property may result in penalties or the requirement to cover repair costs.
Photography and Publicity
- Photographs and videos may be taken for school publicity purposes.
- Participants who do not wish to be photographed should notify the event staff.
Or, here’s a Canva template of sample Baseball-Hit-A-Thon rules. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Sample Baseball-Hit-A-Thon Event Description
Unsure of where to start? Use this sample student and parent messaging to get the ball rolling!
—
Hit, run, score! On [date], [school name] will be hosting a baseball hit-a-thon to help fundraise for [cause]. You can help by registering a baseball team and participating!
Each team will be collecting pledges online through FutureFund: [link], so even if you can’t participate, you can still donate!
Set up online pledges with FutureFund
Let parents and supporters donate online with FutureFund’s online pledges. Try it out for free!
—
Make your donation easily and instantly! Click this [link] to make your donation through secure credit or debit card payment.
If you prefer to donate by cash or check, just donate directly to the student you’re supporting. Thank you for your support!
Sample Baseball-Hit-A-Thon Email Scripts
Use these Canva email script templates to call out for Baseball-Hit-A-Thon participants, donations, and to keep your fundraiser top-of-mind. Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Canva Baseball Hit-A-Thon Student Sign-up Email Template
Design Templates for Promoting Your Baseball-Hit-A-Thon
Use these Canva templates to help you spread awareness for your Baseball-Hit-A-Thon on social media and in your community! Click “Use template for new design” to create an editable version, then add custom information for your event, change fonts and graphics, and more!
Canva Baseball-Hit-A-Thon Template for Instagram Story
Canva Baseball-Hit-A-Thon Template for Instagram Post
Canva Baseball-Hit-A-Thon Template for Printable Poster
Example caption: Support [insert school name]’s Baseball-Hit-A-Thon from [insert date]. Help our school community raise money for [insert cause] by registering to hit as many balls as you can!
Baseball Hit-a-Thon Theme Ideas
Olympic
In this theme, teams can represent a country, just like in the Olympics. Encourage them to wear the uniforms and flags of their chosen country.
Movie
There are so many famous baseball movies, from The Sandlot to Angels in the Outfield. For this team, get teams to dress up as the characters from their favorite baseball movie.
Vintage
Baseball brings back thoughts of the good old days, with stars like Babe Ruth. Have your teams dress up in vintage baseball uniforms to honor baseball’s roots.
Holiday
A holiday theme works for almost any a-thon, including baseball hit-a-thons. A baseball hit-a-thon in honor of Mother’s Day or Father’s Day are two spring holidays to build your event around.
Group Costume
Because baseball is a team sport, the best outfits are coordinated ones! Encourage participants to dress in group costumes like superheroes, minions, crayon packs, animals, and more.
Rainbow
You can’t go wrong with simple colors of the rainbow. Let each team choose a color, so every color of the rainbow is represented in the baseball tournament.
Trusted By Schools Everywhere
FutureFund is used by over 1,000+ organizations, including:
Over
Raised For Our Schools Since 2014
S, Kasad
Bollinger Elementary & Iron Horse Middle School
"FutureFund is always responsive to questions and suggestions, and added new corporate matching features based on my feedback. We rarely had to wait more than 24 hours for support and always felt taken care of."
Made by PTA volunteers and former school faculty
J, Morgenthaler
Tassajara Elementary
"FutureFund provides excellent onboarding and support for our organization. The FutureFund Team is based in America and easy to get on a call with to help us troubleshoot problems. Most issues are resolved within 24 hours!"