#GoingToBat Community Spotlight: Jason Motte

Apr 1, 2016 5:30 PM ET

Jason Motte is dominant against most opponents, but he’s still battling every day to gain the upper hand against a real-life adversary that affects almost everyone in one way or another -- cancer.

Motte and his wife, Caitlin, were visiting Caitlin’s grandfather, a cancer patient at The West Clinic in Memphis several years ago when they saw a sign requesting blankets, which spurred the thought, “What can we do to help?”

They eventually reached the conclusion that their response would be The Jason Motte Foundation. The Foundation holds various events to raise awareness for cancer. Proceeds from the events are donated to cancer research.

Motte is the driving force behind the #KCancer effort and Strikeout Cancer Day, an event now held each year across Major League Baseball and supported by players on every club. The day raises awareness and funds for cancer-related charities across the United States.

In addition to the Strikeout Cancer Day, the Motte’s foundation will also hold its third annual St. Louis Cornhole Challenge on May 16 at Fox Sports Midwest Live within Ballpark Village, which is just outside Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. 

Motte plays for the Colorado Rockies now, but he played the first six years of his career for the Cardinals and St. Louis is where he first got involved in the cause. Former teammate Kolten Wong, the Cardinals’ second baseman, will join Motte to host the competition, alongside Rockies and Cardinals teammates.

Fans can sign up to participate as a team, or purchase a spectator ticket to watch teams compete with each other in the game of corhnole. Proceeds from the event will go to the Jason Motte Foundation as well as Cardinals Care.

The 2016 St. Louis Cornhole Champion crown is up for grabs, but the real victory will be the additional funds raised to fight cancer.

Major Leaguers are #GoingToBat for causes near and dear to them, as they personify the Players Trust’s motto to ‘care, act and inspire.’ To learn more about the charitable interests and activities of Major Leaguers, please click here.

To keep tabs on the #KCancer T-shirt effort, please visit 108stitches.com