The Smartplay

We cover all the bases through sports based academic programs and sports that teach discipline and character building. Andrews M.D.

Thus preparing students to make The SmartPlay on the field, in the classroom, and most importantly in life. The American Baseball Foundation, a 501 c (3), was founded in 1994 by James R. and David Osinski with the vision of educating the youth through sports based academics.

02/27/2026

The energy in the room confirmed what we are building is special.

Amazing people, real impact, and a desire to make meaningful change in our communities.

We are grateful❤️

02/06/2026

What an incredible night at our 25th Annual Lead Off Dinner!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable evening celebrating community, impact, and growth.

Tyler, Brewer, and Kendall shared stories and advice that inspired everyone in the room. Key takeaway - be a good person, serve others, and that talent may get you noticed but your character is what will define your success.

We are so grateful for all who have supported us to year 25 of this event. Momentum continues to build and we won’t be slowing down anytime soon!

Photos by: tcainimagery

01/26/2026

Big leaguers in Birmingham on 2/4!

Meet and hear from the pros who have played on baseball’s biggest stages and support the next generation through this powerful event.

Ticket sales close TOMORROW night!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-smartplay-25th-annual-lead-off-dinner

01/25/2026

Speaker Spotlight (4/4): Dee Strange-Gordon

Dee Strange-Gordon is central Florida native and a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for 12 seasons, most notably with the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers. Strange-Gordon, who played high school basketball and baseball at Avon Park High School then went on to star at Seminole Community College and Southeastern University before being drafted by the Dodgers in 2008, made his Major League debut in 2011 and went on to have a significant impact on and off the field. The wiry infielder finished his career as a two-time All-Star, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award winner. The speedy lefty also led the National League in stolen bases three times, once in triples and earned a senior circuit batting title in 2015. During that 2015 season he became the first player since Jackie Robinson to lead his league in both batting average and stolen bases.

He retired with 1,118 hits and 336 stolen bases. Off the field, Strange-Gordon developed the Flash of Hope program in 2015, in conjunction with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office, to support children and families affected by domestic violence. Strange-Gordon was also nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2017, for his efforts to defeat poverty in the Dominican Republic, and in 2020 he founded Black Sheep Farms, an agricultural business with strong philanthropic efforts which specializes in hydroponic lettuce and greens and is located on a 50-acre tract near Fort Meade, Florida. Strange-Gordon’s father, Tom Gordon, and his half-brother, Nick, also played Major League Baseball.

Hurry and grab your tickets today for the 25th Annual Lead Off Dinner on February 4th at The Club!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-smartplay-25th-annual-lead-off-dinner

01/24/2026

Speaker Spotlight (3/4): Brewer Hicklen

Brewer Hicklen is an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves. Brewer is a graduate of Huntsville High School and continued his played career at University of Alabama-Birmingham 2015-17. Brewer was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 7th round in 2017. He has spent time with the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Detroit Tigers. He has dedicated himself to focusing on what really matters — connecting with others and making a difference in the lives around him. Built around transparency and perseverance, his unique blend of athletic failures and achievements has fueled him to have an unrelenting passion for empowering people to maximize their God-given potential.

Brewer has seen the impact a community can have on one’s new heights in their career and regain their passion for life by loving God, loving people, and having fun. Brewer is a positive, eternally optimistic leader who aspires to connect and engage with others through his passion for sports. He fully believes you will never find true value in your own life until you look to add value in the lives around you.

Hurry and grab your tickets today for the 25th Annual Lead Off Dinner on February 4th at The Club!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-smartplay-25th-annual-lead-off-dinner

01/23/2026

Speaker Spotlight (2/4): Kendall Graveman

Kendall Graveman spent 10 years in the MLB as a pitcher. Across those years, he spent time with the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Kendall grew up in Alexander City, AL where he graduated from Benjamin Russell High School. He would go on to spend his collegiate years at Mississippi State University. He was drafted by the Blue Jays in the eighth round of the 2013 MLB Draft. From representing Team USA in the World Baseball Classic to the World Series, Kendall has starred in many big games.

Fun fact: In Game 5 of the 2021 World Series, Graveman became the final MLB pitcher to record an at-bat, due to the adoption of the designated hitter by the National League prior to the start of the 2022 season.

Hurry and grab your tickets today for the 25th Annual Lead Off Dinner on February 4th at The Club!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-smartplay-25th-annual-lead-off-dinner

01/22/2026

Speaker Spotlight (1/4): Tyler Tolbert

Tyler Tolbert is a current utility player for the Kansas City Royals. Tyler is from Trussville, AL he is a graduate of Hewitt Trussville High School, Class of 2016. After his prep years he attended University of Alabama-Birmingham where he was a 3 year starter. Following his junior year in 2019 Tyler was selected in the 13th Round by the Kansas City Royals.

After winning numerous of awards throughout his minor league career, Tyler made his Major League Debut vs the Milwaukee Brewers on March 31st, 2025.

Hear from and meet Tyler Tolbert on February 4th!

Sponsorship and ticket opportunities available! Limited time remains!

https://www.thesmartplay.org/25th-lead-off-dinner

01/09/2026

Lineup announcement!

Join us for a powerful panel featuring Alabama natives Tyler Tolbert, Kendall Graveman, and Brewer Hicklen—plus an exclusive Q&A with 2x All-Star, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger Dee Strange-Gordon.

Come celebrate our impact, hear firsthand insights from the pros, and look ahead to the future of our organization.

Sponsorships and tickets are available at the link below!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-smartplay-25th-annual-lead-off-dinner

12/31/2025

2025 - A year of transformation, growth, and impact.

From an organizational rebranding to programming that reached students from 70 different schools - safe to say it was a year to remember!

We are so grateful for those that made this year such a success!

2026 is shaping up to be a good one!

11/26/2025

New date and part 1 of announcing our featured speakers!

The date of our 25th Annual Lead Off Dinner will now be Wednesday, February 4th.

Tyler Tolbert - INF/OF for the Kansas City Royals

Kendall Graveman - 10 years in the MLB as a pitcher with the Blue Jays, Athletics, Mariners, White Sox, Astros, and Diamondbacks.

These two guys call Alabama home and we couldn’t be more excited to have them join us. They aren’t just great athletes, they are great men that embody the type of character we work to instill in all the children we work with.

Sponsorship packages and tickets are LIVE! Stay tuned for our part 2 speaker announcement!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-smartplay-25th-annual-lead-off-dinner

For more information contact:
[email protected]

11/07/2025

We are excited to announce that the 25th Annual Lead Off Dinner will be on Friday, January 30, 2026, at The Club.

Details on this year’s guest speaker, sponsorship opportunities, auction items, and tickets will be shared soon. For now, just mark your calendars!

Address

3375 Cahaba Valley Road
Indian Springs Village, AL
35124

Telephone

+12054516203

Website

http://thesmartplay.org/

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