SHOW / EPISODE

070. Sammy Torres Jr. | Pitching for Purpose: Bringing Joy Through Baseball

39m | Nov 20, 2023

Have you ever wondered how sports can transform lives and communities?

Today, we listen to the inspiring journey of Sammy Torres Jr., from his early days in the Coast Guard to becoming a visionary entrepreneur in real estate, and eventually founding the nonprofit organization BaseballFace Cares with his father. This nonprofit isn't just about teaching sports; it's about reaching out to children worldwide, offering them a chance to play and grow. A standout story that he shares is about Kazumba Dennis, a Ugandan baseball player who is chasing his dream to be in the big leagues.

Listen as Sammy talks about what it takes to run a good nonprofit, why strategic partnerships are vital to driving change, and how to spread joy through sports.

[00:00 - 14:57] The Power of Proximity and Investing in Yourself

Sammy shares his journey from the Coast Guard to real estate, highlighting the pivotal moment that led him to venture into entrepreneurship.
Despite success in real estate, he had a tough transitional year, and finding a purpose helped him get back on track
He describes the nonprofit he co-founded with his father, aiming to provide sports equipment to underprivileged kids worldwide.
Surrounding yourself with people who understand you and believe in you is the key to overcoming the hurdles of entrepreneurship
Actively seeking personal development and betting on yourself will open doors of opportunities

[14:58 - 26:13] Happiness Home Runs: How Baseball Can Change Lives

The conversation delves into the creation of BaseballFace Cares, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing joy to children in underserved areas by providing baseball equipment
Sammy shares the profound connection with his father and the decision to deepen their bond through a shared purpose
He feels immense fulfillment in witnessing the positive impact that these sports kits have on the lives of children, allowing them to experience the joy of playing
The success stories, such as that of Kasumba Dennis, showcase the passion and potential of these kids to succeed and affirm the mission of BaseballFace Cares

[26:14 - 32:24] Reverse-Engineering The Business of Nonprofits

Sammy discusses the challenges of running a nonprofit and emphasizes the need to move away from the traditional approach
The focus is on forming strategic partnerships with businesses to create predictable funding and make a more significant impact
The goal is to collaborate with businesses sharing the passion for the nonprofit's mission
Strategic partnerships create predictability and enable scalability for the nonprofit organization

[32:35 - 39:57] Generosity in Action

The secret to life is giving, even if you feel like you have nothing to give
Small acts of generosity, no matter the amount, can have an immediate positive impact and bring a sense of fulfillment

Tweetable Quotes:

"If you have the strength to be vulnerable, there's plenty of people that'll listen to you.”

“As you develop a nonprofit, you have this vision of what you want it to do, but then it just transforms into what it's meant to be.”

“Give right away. It comes back right away.”

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Connect with Sammy through

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammy-torres-jr-a62162166/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BaseballFace

Webpage: https://baseballface.com/

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