Local baseball coach making difference for children around the world
Sam DiMatteo serves as an assistant coach for College of the Desert and the Palm Springs Power but he’s doing good deeds off the diamond as well, supporting kids all over the world.
Story by Cody Krupp
From the other side of the world in Zimbabwe, Africa.
“Really far off the grid, kind of crazy to get in there.”
All the way to Medellin, Colombia. Sam DiMatteo has been traveling the world giving the gift of sports.
“Seeing the reactions and just the way they interact with you when they find out you are there to help them and give them stuff. Can’t put it in words.”
“You are here, that is a big big love. We thank you for that.”
Of course a lot of equipment.
“We’re shipping out 100’s of pounds of equipment. You’re getting us with it and we’re coming out there.”
Also his own heart and a sense of hope.
“We’re going to play ball, we want to talk and build these kids up. Some of these kids come from nothing you know what I mean? I’m sure they are not getting much inspiration or hope over the years. That’s what we tried to do, show up and do that for these kids.”
It is called the SD Project, a non profit organization that DiMatteo started in his home state of Pennsylvania. Now in between coaching College of the Desert and Palm Springs Power, he has given some of his players a chance to be one of the helping hands.
“Nobody has ever said no or I don’t know. Everything I present to them they want to do it. I think at that age it is very hard to think about other people and help other people. When you’re in college you don’t know what you want to do, don’t have a lot of money, it is kind of a free for all type mindset and I remember that. It is cool to kind of mix in with them. As you get to my age, you will start thinking like this,as you slow down and want to help other people. That’s what it is all about.”
Of course it has left a lasting impression on himself and others that have taken the journey but what matters first is what it does for those they are helping.
“Every now and then I get messages from them in Spanish and I don’t know what they mean. I say what’s up? Hola? I say like my three words that I know but they keep in contact. Man it’s been a year, goes to show you that they are thinking about me after a year I must have done something.”
