Blue Jay’s Springer hosts event to show kids a stutter won’t stop them

Blue Jay George Springer is making a difference off the field, showing those with a stutter, it doesn’t have to stop you from achieving your dreams.

Springer has helped thousands of kids across North America for almost a decade when he became the spokesperson for the Stuttering Association for the Young (SAY) back in 2014.

The outfielder began stuttering as a child and has wanted kids to know that stuttering shouldn’t hold them back.

“For the kids that stutter that are here it is huge for them that they are not alone and for George, he is a person who stutters and he is his authentic self and he lets them know it’s awesome to be exactly who they are and to say exactly what they want to say however they want to say it,” explained Noah Cornman, Executive Director of SAY.

Hundreds of people gathered at a bowling alley in downtown Toronto on Sunday, including a number of Springer’s Blue Jays teammates for The George Springer Bowling Benefit, in support of SAY and Jays Care Foundation.

“There is so much more to life than the game of baseball. I only play a game for three hours of day, there is a lot of other time in the day,” said Springer. “So, to try to help kids who are so young or just in general is so fun to me and I love it and hopefully I can help kids. Even if I just help one, I’ll take it.”

Springer said the first time he saw a child in the stands sharing about their stutter meant a lot to him and it continues too.

“It was extremely humbling, and it was awesome and he was a little boy and to know exactly what he goes through on a daily basis is hard but i know it will get easier.”

This isn’t the first event Springer has held this year for young people who stutter in Toronto. He also hosted local kids and families at George Springer’s MVP Camp SAY.

Camp SAY combines a traditional sleep-away summer camp experience with specialized programs and activities that promote the confidence, socialization, and communication skills.

“Before camp SAY, I hadn’t met other kids who stutter. I would sometimes avoid speaking to avoid hiding my stutter. Being up here is something I thought I would never do,” said one young girl who spoke at the event.

The Jays Care Foundation also got involved through Springer.

“George approached us and said, ‘Hey, this is important program that I am very involved with and interested in doing work together to raise funds and awareness for kids who have stutters’,” said Robert Witchel, Executive Director of Jays Care Foundation

The Blue Jays are coming off a series sweep against Kansas City and will begin a three-game series against Texas on Monday night. Toronto is currently sitting in the second wild card spot with 18 games remaining in the season.