Baseball, Books, and Big Hearts: ACE Baseball and Davis Martin Bring Joy to HelloBaby May 16, 2025
HelloBaby event guest winds up for a pitch.
This past weekend, the Fairy Garden across from HelloBaby in Chicago bloomed with more than just flowers—it blossomed with community spirit, teamwork, and joy. The occasion? A heartwarming “Baseball and Books” event hosted by our favorite Mr. Ted from University of Chicago Lab Schools and the ACE Baseball team, a youth development program funded by Chicago White Sox Charities, in partnership with HelloBaby.
Left to Right: Davis Martin, White Sox Pitcher; Naomi Davis, Blacks in Green CEO; Debbie Frisch, HelloBaby Founder speak to volunteers and families at the event.
The day began with a burst of energy as the ACE players arrived ready to give back. With gloves on and smiles wide, they rolled up their sleeves and got to work cleaning, mowing, and preparing the Fairy Garden for the season. This beautiful green space, formally known as The Orchard of the Ancestors, is lovingly maintained by Blacks in Green (BIG), a nonprofit dedicated to building sustainable, self-sufficient Black communities through environmental and economic development. BIG’s visionary founder and CEO, Naomi Davis, has led the organization since 2007, pioneering the “Sustainable Square Mile” model to transform neighborhoods into walkable, resilient green villages.
A special thanks goes to Duane Jarrett, master gardener with BIG, whose expertise and care help keep the Fairy Garden thriving year after year. His quiet leadership and deep knowledge of the land were evident as he guided volunteers through the morning’s work.
After the garden cleanup, the energy shifted to the baseball field, where laughter and cheers filled the air. Families joined the ACE players for a joyful session of baseball practice, highlighted by the presence of a very special guest—White Sox pitcher Davis Martin. His easygoing nature and genuine enthusiasm made a lasting impression on the young athletes, who were thrilled to share the field with a professional player. Martin didn’t just show up—he engaged, encouraged, and inspired.
Right, Volunteers sit with guests. Left, Davis Martin reads to guests.
As the morning wound down, the group gathered for a cozy reading session. Players and volunteers sat shoulder to shoulder with children, flipping through colorful pages and sharing stories, giggles, and quiet moments of connection. It was a perfect blend of physical activity, literacy, and community bonding.
This event was a shining example of what happens when organizations come together with a shared mission: to uplift, educate, and empower. It wasn’t just about baseball or books—it was about building bridges, nurturing young minds, and celebrating the power of community.
Huge thanks to the Chicago White Sox Charities, the ACE Baseball team, Davis Martin, HelloBaby, and the incredible team at Blacks in Green for making this day so special. We can’t wait to see what blooms next.
Amanda Freeman