Players batter up for the National Kidney Foundation

DETROIT — Vito Chirco’s dad, Jerome Chirco, has always been there for his family.

“We’ve always had a really good bond and relationship. He’s always supported me and raised me up the right way,” said Chirco, whose family includes younger brother Dominic, 28, and mom Liz. “He’s always supported all of our endeavors and passions.”

In the spring of 2022, Jerome Chirco was diagnosed with acute kidney failure. Because of the illness, Jerome undergoes regular dialysis treatments and is currently on a kidney donor list to “help him live a safer life and a better life,” Chirco, 31, said.

Dialysis is a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly. While the disease “affects him here and there,” Chirco said his dad has maintained a positive attitude.

Several years ago, Chirco — the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Chirco & Company — began organizing annual softball games to raise money for different charities, including Make-A-Wish Michigan and the Pope Francis Center.

When his dad was diagnosed two years ago, Chirco decided to use the softball game to raise money for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. Last year, the charity game raised $10,500 for the nonprofit organization that offers programs and provides resources and services to prevent kidney disease and improve the quality of life for those living with it.

“It’s mainly about raising as much money as possible while having fun for the players in the game,” said Chirco, who is the alumni director at De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren. “It’s a very rewarding cause.”

Every year, the Clinton Township resident recruits local sponsors and volunteer athletes who will step up to the plate for the big game, including some of his fellow De La Salle graduates, their spouses and daughters. About 35-40 players participate in the nine-inning game. The competitors rotate around the field, sometimes playing different positions each inning.

This year’s game, in its seventh year, will be held July 20 at the Buysse Ballpark on the campus of University of Detroit Mercy, located at 4001 W. McNichols Road in Detroit. Admission is $35 for spectators, and children 12 and younger are free. The gates will open at 1 p.m., and the first pitch is scheduled for approximately 2:15 p.m. During the game, a silent auction will be going on.

On game day, there is a mix of friendly competition and serious athleticism. This year’s roster of star athletes includes the following notable team members: Detroit Tigers content creator Chris Castellani, Detroit Lions on Sports Illustrated reporter/Detroit Sports Podcast host John Maakaron, former Michigan Rose Bowl-winning quarterback John Wangler, three-time U.S. Olympic swimmer and four-time Olympic medalist Peter Vanderkaay, former Carolina Hurricanes right wing and Stanley Cup champion Chad LaRose, and “Woodward Heavyweights” co-hosts “Eazy” and Spencer Raxter.

Chirco’s parents will be in attendance at Saturday’s game as fans in the crowd. Jerome himself is a huge sports fan.

“He loves his baseball,” Chirco said, adding that he grew up watching the Detroit Tigers with his dad while also attending games at Comerica Park and the former Tiger Stadium.

For the third year in a row, Trevor Currier, realtor with Keller Williams Domain in Birmingham, is a main sponsor of the event.

“Vito is a good friend of mine, and it’s a great cause,” Currier said. “I love helping out a friend and you can’t beat Vito’s charisma and efforts to better this world.”

Currier, of Berkley, also will play in the game.

“There’s always good camaraderie and a lot of people know each other,” he said. But that doesn’t stop the players from joking around on the field. “You razz them or give good jabs when you can.”

Other sponsors include the Fett Family, the Detroit Sports Podcast and the HealthQuest Physical Therapy.

Payments in advance can be made via cash, check or Venmo @CHIRCOAND-COMPANY. Guests also can purchase tickets on game day.