Jesse Litsch and Bechtel Financial Charity Golf Outing
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jesse Litsch continued to enjoy his offseason down in Tampa, Florida before the team warms up for spring training and the 2011 baseball season. Before pitchers and catchers start talking balls and strikes, the 25-year-old Florida native took some time to team up with Bechtel Financial for their second Celebrity Charity Golf Outing. Litsch serves as the host for the event, which attracts a number of professional athletes and benefits needy children during the holidays. Class Act Sports’ Jared Ginsberg spoke with Litsch, Kevin Bechtel, and other attendees about the outing and what it means to their local community.
As a born and raised Floridian, Litsch stressed the importance of supporting his hometown, as well as children in need throughout the area.
“You know, just trying to give back to the community, a community that helped me out when I was a kid. You know, just trying to make a fun event for guys to enjoy, and people to come out, and to give back to the kids that’re trying to, you know succeed in life. Anything we can do to give back to them, to help them out, is a great thing,” said Litsch.
Kevin Bechtel of Bechtel Financial is the other main helping hand in piecing together the Celebrity Charity Golf Outing, and viewed the event as one of his personal passions.
“Oh it’s a great feeling, you know, it’s something that’s a passion that Jessie and I share together. I was fortunate enough to start it back in 2007, giving bikes to needy kids for the holidays, the kids that normally wouldn’t even get anything under the tree for Christmas. We were able to give over 700 bikes in the last five years, and then hooking up with Jessie last year, doing our first golf tournament was great,” said Bechtel.
Litsch has also devoted significant amounts of money and time to the local Boys and Girls Club, and their director Kevin Davis was especially impressed with the pitcher’s efforts.
“Well it’s really awesome for us, particularly for Jessie’s case because he actually grew in the club that we’re directing. The thing that we try to do mostly with these athletes is we try to have an impact with the kids, and the best way we found that to be is for them to come into the club and interact, and get to know the kids on a lower level basis,” Davis stated.
Of course, we couldn’t help but talk a little baseball as everyone continues to look forward to spring training, especially Litsch, who is coming off another surgery which derailed his 2010 season. After appearing in 49 games during his first two years, Litch only pitched in 11 games during 2009-10, due to Tommy John surgery and a hip injury.
“I mean competition, that’s the main thing. You know, it’s all a fun game, but it’s a lot of competition. Spring training, I’m gonna have to go out and win a spot, and it’s a competition you know. I’m ready to go to compete and be ready for the full season,” Litsch commented.
