When Baseball Means More: Inside the Chicago Dogs’ Gold Glove Charity Night

There are moments in sports that remind you why the game matters. Not for the wins or the stats — but for what happens when the impact goes beyond the field.

That’s exactly what happened Saturday night at Impact Field, where the Chicago Dogs hosted their annual Gold Glove Charity Night in partnership with Gold Glove Charities, a nonprofit that creates unforgettable experiences for children battling cancer. For one night, the game took a backseat — and the spotlight shifted to the kids.

The Dogs wore custom gold jerseys, each one displaying the name of a child diagnosed with cancer. But those names weren’t just symbolic. The kids themselves were on the field — meeting players, taking swings, and lining up for the national anthem like they were part of the roster.

One of them was Kat Kelli, a 17-year-old actress who’s been performing in theater since third grade. Kat said she’s pursuing a career in acting because it’s where she feels most like herself — and on Saturday night, she carried that same confidence onto a baseball diamond.

“It's really special that there's an opportunity for us and that there's so many kids that just get to participate,” Kat said. “It's really heartwarming, and it means a lot to all of the other families as well.”

Also part of the night was Bria Schmidt, a sports marketing student at Harper College and cancer survivor. Before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, Bria got a quick warm-up session with former MLB pitcher Anthony Ranaudo — then stepped on the mound and delivered.

Afterward, she reflected on what it meant to be included in something like this.

“I was really unaware of all of these foundations before I went through what I went through. And it's really great what they do with rewarding all the kids. They get to do all these amazing things. They get to meet players that they probably look up to, and you know, you get to be in the life of a baseball player for a day. I think it's for a great cause too. And like, just seeing everyone just kinda come together as a community is really special.” Bria said.

And when asked what she would say to other kids going through cancer, she didn’t hesitate.

“The only way to get to the end is to get through. You have all of these incredible people rooting for you, on your side, whether you think you don't or you do. Everyone's here for you. And I think that it's so special that you get other people to experience this with. And, you know, stay strong.”

That sense of strength would show up again — in a way that nobody expected.

Between the fourth and fifth innings, the Dogs honored a young boy named Tommy, who uses a wheelchair. The plan was for Tommy to roll around the bases with a player at his side. But in a moment that stunned even his parents, Tommy decided — entirely on his own — to stand up and walk.

With two Dogs players supporting him and his chair pushed behind him just in case, Tommy made his way around the diamond, step by step. The stadium rose with him. Clapping. Cheering. Crying.

I often get goosebumps from the chilly wind at Impact Field, but these chills were the kind that come with teary eyes and overwhelming sense of gratitude. It was one of those moments that hits you — and stays with you.

Matt Passerelle, the Dogs’ team manager, said it’s moments like that which put everything into perspective.

“I always say, and I always will say — we don't work a day in our lives,” Passerelle said. “These kids deal with so much at a young age. They might never get to experience something like this. So you know, I think it was a great event. I mean, to me — we could do it every day.”

Following the game, the team’s game-worn gold jerseys were auctioned off, with all proceeds benefiting Gold Glove Charities. The Kansas City-based nonprofit partners with sports teams across the country to make nights like this possible — giving children battling cancer moments of joy, dignity, and belonging.

Saturday night wasn’t about the final score. It was about kids like Kat, Bria, and Tommy. And about a team that chose to use its platform for something bigger than baseball.

Independent ball doesn’t always make headlines. But nights like this?
They should.