PEORIA, Ill— Bradley Athletics is thrilled to announce the 4th Annual Long Ball Derby, scheduled for January 31, 2025, at the state-of-the-art Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. This exciting event is your chance to directly support the Bradley Softball program while enjoying a unique and interactive experience with the team.
Here's how it works: Fans select a donation increment (e.g., $0.25, $0.50, $1, $2, etc.) and choose their favorite player, coach, or guest hitter. Each hitter gets 10 at-bats to showcase their power and record their longest hit. With the precision of the Hit Trax system, the longest hit for each participant is multiplied by your selected donation amount to calculate your impactful gift.
In 2024, the average long ball stretched an impressive 220 feet, and the event raised over $15,000 to support our talented student-athletes. Let's aim even higher in 2025!
Making a donation is easy! Simply click select a player, coach, or guest hitter, and set your pledge amount. OR Pick a flat donation to support Bradley Softball. You'll receive instant confirmation of your pledge. After the Derby, an automated update will provide the results for your selected hitter(s), and your card will be charged accordingly. Every donation is 100% tax-deductible and will be acknowledged by Bradley University Advancement. Plus, your support counts toward your 2024-25 Braves Club membership level!
"The Bradley Softball long ball derby provides a tremendous opportunity for our student athletes to get involved with their program. This will be the 4th year the program has chosen to hold the long ball derby, and it is the biggest fundraising generator for the team," said head softball coach Sarah Willis. "Funds raised from the long ball derby are allocated towards enhancing the team's pre-season experiences as we are on the road for the first six weeks prior to MVC opening weekend. The long ball derby is a great way to support our student athletes, and we are looking forward to crushing our previous records."
Mark your calendars, Braves fans! Don't miss this fun and impactful event. Together, we can drive Bradley Softball to new heights.
Go Braves!
