As a starting pitcher, Ulbado Jiménez is used to doing the heavy lifting. But on Tuesday, the Orioles right-hander did some actual straining and grunting - all for a good cause that is near and dear to his heart.
Jiménez visited Dunloggin Middle School to help eighth-grade students pack donations of gently used baseball equipment given to the Oriole Advocates' Cardboard to Leather program for distribution in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
The Ubaldo Jiménez Foundation recently received 15,000 pounds of donated diamond equipment from Cardboard to Leather to distribute to baseball-crazy kids in the pitcher's native Dominican Republic.
Cardboard to Leather is one of the Orioles Advocates' signature programs, started in 1992 to provide equipment to underprivileged youth in developing countries. Since its inception, the Advocates have distributed equipment around the world to places such as Afghanistan, Aruba, Belize, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Serbia, Venezuela and throughout the United States.
In the last eight years alone, the Oriole Advocates have been able to impact more than 50,000 children internationally and domestically through Cardboard to Leather.
How can you help? Mark your calendars now for this year's Cardboard to Leather collection, which will be held on Sunday, Aug. 20 before the game against the Angels. Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently used baseball equipment - bats, balls, gloves, bases, uniforms - for collection. Monetary donations will also be accepted to help offset shipping costs.