Carlos Ruiz Hosts “Getting in the Game”

Last night, Carlos Ruiz, the Phillies and Philadelphia Futures presented “Getting in the Game” to raise funds to support low-income, first-generation students in high school and college. More than 400 guests were at North Bowl in Northern Liberties, and 14 of Ruiz’s Phillies teammates attended in great spirits after their win over the Brewers. Pictured here are students with Jeremy Horst, Jonathan Pettibone, Cesar Hernandez, Freddy Galvis and Justin De Fratus.

Below: Scott Palmer, Phillies PR, and Joan Mazzotti, executive director of Philadelphia Futures. Mazzotti thanked the crowd and told them that Philadelphia Futures was founded with a vision of what it takes to help a young person succeed. “Over the years, we have become an effective, results-driven program uniquely capable of making a difference in the lives of students. We do whatever it takes to help them achieve their dream of a college education.”

Below: There was a great silent auction, and a lively live auction conducted by Scott Palmer. A few of the items available included a signed Papelbon jersey, dinner with Rubén Amaro Jr. in the Diamond Club, and tickets to a game, which went for $1,400. Then there was an item for four tickets to sit in the Diamond Club, with parking, and dinner that went for $1,500, and finally a signed Roy Halladay jersey and signed Chooch glove sold for $1,600.

Below: Then there was bowling; the atmosphere was jubilant whether people were getting strikes or spares, the music was just right, and everyone was there for a good cause. Jimmy Rollins was killing it, getting a strike nearly every time he was up. On June 20, the Jimmy Rollins Family Foundation is hosting its third annual gala, “Harlem Nights,” at Union Transfer.

Below: Carlos Ruiz celebrates a strike with his teammates.

Below: Players were happy to pose and sign for the fans in attendance. Shannon Guthrie poses with her favorite player, Chase Utley, as her mom takes the photo.

Below: Upstairs, a billiards tournament was going on with various sponsors of the evening including Stradley Ronon’s Spencer Grossman and Randi Rabinowitz, who were getting instructions by Philadelphia Futures volunteer Ann Therese Ortiz.

Below: There were also baseball card games for the kids, which team owner David Montgomery (right) seemed to be equally as fascinated by as the kids were.

Below: This year, the Philadelphia Futures created a second round of bowling for the event, which featured popular personalities from Philadelphia TV stations in the “Battle of the Media Stars.” Philadelphia Futures board member Rick Williams, 6 ABC, introduces the celebrity bowlers.

Below: 6 ABC’s Amy Buckman with husband Terry, bowled on the White and Williams team.

Below: Hurricane Schwartz, NBC 10, is surrounded by Farnia Fresnel, Arline Heilmann, Jennifer Daley, and, in the back, Dwayne Bien-Aime and Justin Eltz.

Christine Maddela, NBC 10 traffic reporter, is flying high above us most days in the new NBC 10 Sky Force helicopter. Follow #FlyGirl and #SkyForce10 to see where she is.

Below: 6 ABC’s Ali Gorman, and very healthy boyfriend Joltin’ Joey DeMalavez, of Joltin’ Jabs Fitness Center.

Below: Leslie Gudel, Comcast SportsNet, is getting ready for her turn, as Vittoria Woodill, CBS 3 traffic reporter, and teammate Chris Waddell wait for the pins to drop for a fellow team member.

Below: NBC 10’s John Clark poses with fan Laura Cacciutti.

Below: Marshall Harris, Comcast SportsNet, tells Vittoria Woodill and Chris Woddell the secret to keeping the ball out of the gutter. He would know, he told me, he’s been bowling since he was a kid.

Below: Harris even brought his own shoes, and bowling ball; and instead of giving a high-five for strikes, he got his teammates to do this cross-arm bump. For spares, you would just use one arm he told me. OK now we know. All in all, it was a really fun event, with laughter, strikes and even a little dancing in the alley when Sylvester’s Dance the Disco Heat came on.