Ryan Vilade has spent 10 seasons in professional baseball, and the Tampa Bay Rays outfielder says the game has always meant more to him than what shows up in a box score.
For Vilade, that mindset starts with his father, James, who helped shape both his love for baseball and his commitment to giving back.
"I was born on the field. My dad was a coach, still is a coach.
I bounced around with him every step of the way. I think he's the reason why I love the game of baseball," Vilade said.
That influence reached beyond the diamond. In 2014, James founded the Keeper of the Game Foundation, which supports children with special needs and disabilities by bringing baseball to them.
"I think he just had a heart-feeling to help the special needs in the community. My mom was a special needs teacher.
They just always had a special place in their heart to do something to help the community, be part of the game of baseball. It's been 12 years now," Vilade said.
Vilade has stayed close to that mission לאורך the years, and he says being part of it has changed how he sees the sport.
"It gives me a good perspective just being able to share the game, share the light with them," Vilade said.
That message gets a bigger spotlight during the Rays’ Monday home games, when the team recognizes local baseball leagues with unique abilities through its Magic Mondays program. For Vilade, those moments matter because they put kids on the field in a setting that can feel bigger than baseball itself.
"On Mondays, we usually bring a team out, and it's an awesome time to have kids come out and kind of be on the field and be a baseball player for a day. Maybe that's something they're not able to do as much. But being able to come out, enjoy that experience, it's awesome, and just being able to share that moment with them," Vilade said.
Vilade said the foundation is open to helping in whatever way it can.
"If you need something, we'd love to help out. Keeper of the game dot org.
If you need money for a wheelchair, a new glove, or any way we can help. Just trying to spread the love, spread the word, and just be there for them," Vilade said.
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