When Portal pitchers take the mound this season, they’ll be squaring off against more than just opposing batters.
    Panthers’ senior pitcher Chad Busby has spent the offseason crafting “Strike Out Cancer,” a fundraising effort designed to get the Portal community behind its baseball teams and a very worthwhile cause.
      “We’re really excited about it,” said Busby. “Coach (Tendai) Haggins and my mom have supported the idea and are doing a great job of promoting it. It’s just good to know that I’m helping out with something big like this.”
       As a concerned and caring member of the Portal community, Busby was searching for a way to benefit others. Inspiration struck for “Strike Out Cancer” as he witnessed another recent outpouring of public support.
       “My dad and I were thinking about ways to give back when the earthquake in Haiti occurred,” said Busby. “I remember watching the coverage on the news and seeing how everyone was pledging money to help. I thought that baseball season is coming up, and maybe I could do the same type of thing with getting people to pledge money for strikeouts.”
       Cancer research was the first cause to cross Busby’s mind, as it has touched both his family and Portal baseball recently.
      “My uncle, Donald Hodges, just died from cancer,” said Busby. “Last year, Coach Tendai had his sister pass away also. I just figured that this would be the best thing to do to bring everyone together.”
      All Portal pitchers on the varsity, junior varsity, and middle school teams are participating in the season-long event. Any pitcher can be selected and a donation of any size for each recorded strikeout can be made.
      “We’re asking for any donation,” said Busby. “A dollar. A dime. Whatever you’re willing to pledge, we appreciate the support.”
      “I think it’s great that Chad is doing something like this,” said Haggins. “It’s good to see our players are aware of important issues like this and are willing to put forth the effort to raise money and awareness for the cause.”
      As the ace of the staff, Busby will likely get the start – and the opportunity to earn the first few dollars of donations toward “Strike Out Cancer” – as Portal opens its season Monday evening in Brooklet against Southeast Bulloch. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
      At the end of the season, all donations will be collected and donated to the Bulloch County chapter of the American Cancer Society.
      To make a pledge, or for more information, contact the Portal Middle and High School Booster Club at (912) 536-5626.