On Tuesday, July 26, 2010 Willie Horton and the Detroit Tigers hosted Willie Horton's 9th Annual Batting for Kids A Baseball Skills Competition. Over 400 boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 15 had exclusive access to Comerica Park for a fun-filled 1/2 day. The kids participated in eight fundamental baseball skills and developmental challenges. McDonalds provided continental breakfast, while Pepsi and Ball park provided hotdogs and beverages. All the youth received an Event T-Shirt and a Baseball Souvenir to keep. The Competition ended with 45 Winners. The winners were recognized at a Detroit Tigers game the following week. The success of this event has been strident. Don Bosco Hall receives letters, notes and cash from Willie Horton fans from all over the country in support of Willie Horton and the Detroit Tigers efforts to expose major league baseball to inner city kids and to help support the Detroit community. An unexpected outcome of the event has been a growing and expanded participation of youth from the suburban areas. The inclusion of children of diverse ethnic, race, and sex has offered another dimension to the challenge, as youth of all different backgrounds come together as one.

Throwing Competition

Macomb County Baseball team volunteer to help as Station Captains.

Running Competition

Lunch Break

WWJ interviews Don Bosco Hall Board Member Deborah Virgiles. McDonalds supports the event every year through both in-kind and cash donation.

Willie Horton spends time overseeing the completion and signing autographs

Hitting Competition

Channel 4 interviews one of the participants

A break in between competition