Changing the Game: How the Locher Brothers Are Giving Back Through Baseball

Meet David and Ryan Locher, brothers who play for PBT baseball. Like many of their teammates, they spend hours every week training and preparing for their next big game. But this year, something shifted. David and Ryan decided to take a leadership role in this year's GiveBack with PBT and Sunrise of Philadelphia. Our GiveBacks are a unique mentorship initiative designed to empower young athletes from underserved communities by pairing them with high school and college athletes who share their passion for sports.

In 2024, David and Ryan decided to create their own equipment drive that would give baseball equipment to the youth from Sunrise of Philadelphia. Thanks to their efforts they were able to provide 115 baseball gloves, 26 bats, 60 baseballs, and 8 helmets, resulting in an estimated value of $9,000. Because of the Locher brothers' efforts, every kid who attended the GiveBack was able to take home a glove and baseball. 

David Locher shares his thoughts on why he believes our GiveBack programs are impactful to not only the youth, but to his teammates, “I love spending time with kids who don’t have the same opportunities that I have had growing up. Sharing my skills and knowledge about baseball with the kids is very satisfying. I know it is an exciting day for the kids, and it gives me joy to be a part of this annual event.”

The GiveBack program encourages these young athletes to open up their teams, their bond, and their premier facilities to youth in need. At our annual PBT GiveBack, kids from Philadelphia are invited to come experience a state of the art facility that offers a sense of belonging and opportunity they may not have had access to otherwise. The student-athletes share not just their skills but also the values of teamwork, perseverance, and leadership.

In a single afternoon, kids find themselves learning the essential skills to play baseball including fielding, hitting, and throwing. These interactions are more than just a few hours of play. They are the beginning of lasting connections that help children understand that they are capable of achieving big things, both on and off the field.

Through these interactions, David and Ryan have realized the deeper impact of their actions. Not only are they teaching sports skills, but they are helping these kids build confidence and self-worth, fostering friendships, and most importantly, sparking dreams.

As Ryan puts it, “I am excited to be part of the Sow Good Now GiveBack this summer. I want to share my love of baseball with kids who have not had the opportunity to play baseball before.”

In total, the 3,600 volunteer hours accumulated by the student-athletes in our programs this year have had a profound impact. Those hours translate into more than just time spent; they represent invested relationships, transformed lives, and the power of student athletes helping youth.

David and Ryan’s story is just one of many, and as our GiveBack programs continue to grow, we know that more kids and young athletes will be inspired by this ripple effect. It’s a reminder that no matter how old you are, or how far along you are in your athletic journey, you have the ability to give back and make a difference in someone else’s life — just as David and Ryan have done.

This is the true power of sports: not just to teach skills, but to change the game for the next generation, offering them a brighter future and new possibilities they may never have dreamed of. Our GiveBacks are changing lives — one game, one hour, one mentor at a time.