“I wanted to make a difference, and pay it forward, and raise funds for younger players that have aspirations to play baseball on a professional level one day, as well as help raise funds for families dealing with the reality of blood cancer. My great uncle had Leukemia, and my father had Multiple Myeloma, so I know the toll treatment can take on a family. He is 5 years in remission now… they were my inspiration, as well as Carson Rozsman… we wanted to recreate the event and help raise funds for these charities through Crushin’ for a Cause!”
– Tyler Tolve
Charity HomeRun Derby Benefits 6-4-3 Foundation and the SagerStrong Foundation
What a BEAUTIFUL day at the ballpark for the Second Annual Crushin’ for a Cause Charity HomeRun Derby, benefiting The 6-4-3 Foundation and the SagerStrong Foundation. Created by Tyler Tolve, Braves prospect and Atlanta native, Crushin’ for a Cause celebrated his hometown baseball community, by bringing out his professional friends from across the country to raise funds for disparities in youth baseball as well as blood cancer awareness, research and programs. Crushin’ for a Cause brought in sponsors, partners and fans to enjoy an amazing day at the ballpark, while making a difference off the field.
Getting ready for Crushin’ for a Cause was a total team effort… thank you to all of our volunteers and partners to make the day “run”… and thank you to 6-4-3 DP Athletics and The 6-4-3 Foundation for hosting at the event at Aviation Sports Complex – kudos to the field crew and staff for getting the field and facility ready— what a great team!
The event started early Saturday with set up, but had the participants funneling through the indoor batting facility to take a few swings… to get ready to hit dingers!
The gates opened at 1 pm with baseball families coming early to enjoy the food trucks–The Cheezy Truck and DonutNV, games, DJ, music, silent auction and fun atmosphere. There were SO many GREAT items to bid on. Several of the participants donated autographed bats including event founder/Host, Tyler Tolve and local Marietta native and 2024 3rd round MLB/Colorado Rockies draft pick, Charlie Condon. Fans could also bid on Atlanta Hawks Social Club tickets vs the LA Clippers, as well as tickets to upcoming Atlanta Braves, Gwinnett Stripers and KSU Baseball games. Hall of Famers Fred McGriff and (name) donated signed baseballs, as well as former Braves favorites Dansby Swanson(Cubs) and Freddie Freeman(Dodgers). Other items included youth sports equipment, baseball showcases for high school prospects, a Savannah Banana prize pack and more!
New this year, the High School competition started at 2:15 pm; special thanks to Prep Baseball Georgia for orchestrating the amateur event and to all of the 2025 / 2026 athletes that competed! Congratulations to KJ Hart, 2025 grad, River Ridge Baseball and Georgia Jackets.
The energy was electric as we counted down to the Second Annual #CrushinforaCause HomeRun Derby! Thank you, Jay Mann, of Splash Bash Pool Party, for emceeing the event and keeping things moving!
In a fun turn of events, Luke Berryhill took the mic, and surprised everyone by singing the National Anthem, minutes before he would hit… (little known fact, Luke released a single as an aspiring Country Music Artist a few years back — he was fantastic!)
The ceremonial first pitches were thrown out by: Tyler & John Tolve, Ripken Kimberly, and Fuzzy Furr from Better Baseball.
Then, the pros took the field for the #CrushinforaCause HomeRun Derby, and… the dingers were flying!
Thank you, too, for families at home tuning in via “Athletes Go Live!” It was a great way to catch the excitement.
It was a battle to the finish… between Cael Chatham and last year’s winner, Mike Trautwein, but the 2025 #CrushinforaCause winner was Cael Chatham with 12 dingers (38 overall— in 3 rounds!)
Thank you to our @643dpathletics @prepbaseballga @athletesgolive partners for capturing all the action!
It was an amazing day all around! Thank you to everyone behind the scenes working to make the event a success!
If you were unable to attend, and would like to make a donation, you can still do so at https://the643foundation.org/crushin2025/
Thank you to our amazing partners and sponsors in the photo and list below!
A special thank you WSB Channel 2 Sports (Luke Hetrick and Alison Mastrangelo) for shining the light on “Crushin’ for a Cause!” as well – see the video below.
Celebrity Home Run Derby Participants
A special thanks to our professionals that made the day special:
- Tyler Tolve – Atlanta Braves Organization
- Luke Berryhill – Free Agent
- Cael Chatham – Great Falls Voyagers
- Michael Chavis – Free Agent
- Charlie Condon – Colorado Rockies Organization
- Parks Harber – New York Yankees Organization
- Jonathan Hughes – Atlanta Braves Organization (pitcher, not hitting)
- Sam Kuchinski – Yolo High Wheelers
- Justyn-Henry Malloy – Detroit Tigers
- Jaylen Smith – Free Agent
- Carson Taylor – Philadelphia Phillies Organization
- Michael Trautwein – Cincinnati Reds Organization
Thank You to Our Corporate Event Sponsors
Event Sponsors
- 6-4-3 DP Baseball
- Aces, Inc.
- Athletes Go Live
- Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling United
- Better Baseball
- College Athlete Advantage
- C.W. Matthews Contracting Company
- Dove Tail Bat Company
- Evercy Wealth
- Martin Electrical Solutions
- Prep Baseball Georgia
Silent Auction Donors
- Gwinnett Stripers
- Kennesaw State Baseball
- Rome Emperors
- Atlanta Hawks
- The SagerStrong Foundation
- Grunduski Group
- Holland Portraits
- The Hwang Family
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Chicago Cubs
- Georgia Tech Baseball
- Mac’s Chophouse
- Fred McGriff
- The Savannah Bananas
- Prep Baseball Georgia
- Dove Tail Bats
- All-Star Sports
Silent Auction Items
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- Baseball Showcase Vouchers courtesy of Prep Baseball Georgia
- 4 tickets to a Gwinnett Stripers Game
- 3 sets of 4 tickets to an Atlanta Braves game
- Personal items signed by Crushin’ VIPs and participants
- Signed baseballs from: Dansby Swanson, Freddie Freeman, Max Fried, Fred McGriff…
- Custom family portrait session
- Gift Certificates to Mac’s Chophouse on the Marietta Square
- Savannah Bananas gift pack
- Season tickets & gift pack from Kennesaw State Baseball
- Atlanta Hawks Tickets
- Atlanta Falcons replica jersey