Through The Eyes Of...Garrett Berger and The iFungo Ordinance Bat Line

The following is part of a weekly series called "Through the Eyes Of....". In each segment, I share interviews with or stories about those that I view to be the "Good Guys."

"Through the Eyes of..." is a part of my personal crusade to present baseball in all it's beauty, splendor, and goodness, instead of through hashing and rehashing all that is broken with our National treasure.

It is 12:40 a.m. and my family has been asleep for nearly four hours, while I am still glued to the longest double shutout I can ever remember.

Fifteen innings, 11 hits total and zero runs scored between the Red Sox and Yanks. In my world, believe it or not, it doesn't get any better than this.

As I write, A-Rod deposits one in the seats and the play-by-play man dubs him a hero. I chuckle to myself. Partially in disgust, as the Sox have fallen another game behind the Bronx Bombers, but due in part to the announcers loose use of the word "hero."

I flip off the tube and decide to finish my Q and A piece with Garrett Berger, the first pick of the Florida Marlins in the 2001 draft. Quite fittingly, Garrett Berger knows who the "true heroes" are and is doing something about honoring them.

You see, Garrett Berger is the owner and CEO of iFungo. And while our troops are fighting around the globe to ensure our freedom, Garrett Berger is doing all he can to make sure we don't forget them while they're away.

So, as you read my interview with Garrett Berger and learn about his new Ordinance Line of baseball bats, remember...A-Rod's not a hero. The men and women of the US Armed Forces and their husbands and wives and children who are waiting for them to come home are our heroes.

Civ: After baseball, you started iFungo. How did this come about?

GB: The idea was presented to me and then I immediately jumped at it. I thought it was a great idea and concept and had always thought it would be beneficial for people to sell premium products to all players.

My first few years in pro ball, I saw a demand for high-end equipment, especially for those players without agents. Now, not only do we supply minor leaguers with their equipment, but now we make professional equipment available to the masses.

Civ: Explain what iFungo does/is.

GB: iFungo supplies all players with high-end equipment. Whether you’re a professional or a professional at heart we offer the same equipment the guys on TV use and make our amateur/professional players more confident in their pursuit of their dreams. Whether it is pro gloves or big league bats, we have it all.

Civ: Who have you met in the baseball world that readers would know; your coolest brush with greatness?

GB: Playing for six years in affiliated ball you meet a lot of great players and great guys. The past two years playing for Tommy John was a priceless experience. The players that were on my team as well made my time there a very humbling experience.

Between the guys I played with and the guys I played against, it made a great experience playing with the true professionals like them.

Civ: Tell me about your new venture with USA Cares.

GB: iFungo has teamed up with USA Cares to create a way to give back to the brave men and women who defend our freedom. We call it the “iFungo Ordinance Bats.” These bats are very special in every sense of the word.

Family members can now purchase bats with their soldiers name and rank on Line One, as well as, a personal message to them on Line Two.

Fifty percent of every bat sold will go to USA Cares and our goal is to reach 555 bats by 9-11-09 so we can donate $10,000.

We just had a bat sold the other day with the personal message, “Husband, Father…Hero.”

With personal messages like these you can feel the type of power and emotion we are bringing to the table with these bats. I am truly grateful to be a part of something like this.

Civ: What did USA Cares say when you came to them with the proposal?

GB: They loved the idea. There are a couple of wood bat companies that have had similar ideas but none of which were willing to donate 50% to them. They have been great about trying to help us get this cause out there.

Civ: Who do you see buying the bats?

GB: Anyone. Businesses, families, celebrities, anyone who wants to supports these brave men and women.

We would love celebrities to purchase these bats and take them overseas when they visit the troops so they can sign them and give the troops something special, while helping a great cause and organization in USA Cares.

Soldiers can even purchase them for their sons or daughters to be used in their games! I mean how great would it be to have the son or daughter of a soldier step up to the plate swinging a bat with their parents or family member's name on it. If that doesn’t give you confidence at the plate, I don’t know what will!

Civ: Do you have family or friends in the military?

GB: Yes my parents' god son is in Baghdad right now; as well as I know a few friends over there as well.

Civ: How is the program doing so far?

GB: Its going great! We have received a great response of people about the bats and how they love the overall concept. So now it’s all about spreading the word of mouth and getting these amazing bats in the hands of soldiers or soldiers' kids.

Civ: Do you envision kids of the military using the bat in a game or displaying it?

GB: Yes. Think of the power in this. A player is playing in a wood bat tournament and his family member is serving overseas.

He steps up to the plate with an ordinance bat with his family members name and a personal message on the bat saying, “We love you son” or “Swing hard!” If that doesn’t give you goose bumps, you're un-American!

Civ: Think back, if you were the child of a military person using one of these bats in a game, what would be going through your little head?

GB: This is all theoretical for me, because I could never say I was one of those kids, however, I can only imagine the confidence that this bat would be able to provide for these players.

They won’t have to think what horrible things there family member is facing because right before they step in to the box they can see them saying, “It’s ok” or “We Love You!” Very powerful stuff!

To order your iFungo Ordinance Bat go to www.ifungo.com.

Todd Civin is a freelance writer who writes for the Bleacher Report and Seamheads. He can be reached at toddcivin1@aim.com with comments or story ideas.

He is also a supporter of "A Glove of Their Own", the award winning children's book that is capturing the heart of the nation. For more information visit the site at www.agloveoftheirown.com and purchase under today's donor code USC247 USACARES.

iFungo Ordinance Bats Supports Our Troops and USA Cares

At every baseball game I attend, I stand tall and proud with my hand over my heart as the Star Spangled Banner is played. I scold the people around me when they are too oblivious to take off their caps or when they start to cheer when "Our Country's" song is only three-fourths of the way complete.

I realize how lucky I am that my son and daughters remain here at home while the sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives that make up our military are overseas to protect the country that I love.

So when I heard about i-Fungo's new line of commemorative bats, the "iFungo Ordinance Bats", I got that same feeling in my belly as when they unfurl the flag over the Green Monster at Fenway. Some how the synergy between baseball and my country makes me feel warm inside.

I called iFungo owner and CEO, Garrett Berger, to find out more about his exciting line of "Feel Good" bats.

"The Ordinance Bat is a professional quality wooden baseball bat that we engrave with a personal message for your loved one in the military," explained Berger who was the former number one draft pick of the Florida Marlins in 2001 before hurting his arm. "It's a way to let your soldier know that you support them."

"Imagine how they'll feel when they open their care package from home and inside is a beautiful wooden bat engraved with their name, rank, and a personal message."

I asked Berger how he got the idea, "I've been working with the American Cancer Society on a Cancer Survivor bat for about ten months. A pink bat like the pros use on Mothers Day to honor cancer survivors and fighters who lost their battle. It's a big process to get their support. While thinking about the ACS bat, the idea of a bat that honors our military popped into my head."

Berger, whose parents' God son is stationed in Iraq, has taken this cause to USA Cares, a charity for military families in need, and will be donating 50% of all profits to the organization.

"Our goal is to sell 555 bats because that means we could donate $10,000 to USA Cares. I actually have been researching the number five to see if there is any significance in the military or if it is just a cool number."

"Not only would it equate to a donation of $10,000 to USA Cares, but it means that 555 of our men and women would get this awesome symbol of love and appreciation," added Berger.

“We take pride in the fact we don’t just offer premium baseball equipment to the
masses. Any ability we have to help out a worthy cause we jump at. USA Cares is a
very reputable charity and when we presented the idea to them they immediately fell in love with the idea."

"Baseball is very much still America’s favorite pastime, and in my opinion it’s about time we helped our own soldiers in the process," added Berger.

The bats, which sell for $80 + SH feature a stars and stripes logo and personalization at the end of the bat. The first line features the soldier's name and rank followed by the second line, where the purchaser will be able to display a personal message to their soldier.

Choice of bat colors include black, navy, yellow, olive green, silver, or two-tone colors with natural finished handles.

“I know quite a few friends and family that are overseas defending our freedom and
for me this is just a small token of appreciation for their efforts.”

Berger went on to tell me that he also envisions soldiers purchasing the bats for their children.

“There is nothing better than a child of a soldier wanting to honor their father or mother by using a bat with their name on it. I hope these bats will provide them with the same courage and grit their fathers/mothers possess to help them get through an at bat or the entire season."

Berger and iFungo is also a supporter of the children's book, "A Glove of Their Own." The beautifully illustrated book written by a group of baseball parents, revolves around the amazing power of 'Paying It Forward.' With every purchase of a glove of $100 or greater, iFungo will include the book as well as make a $3.00 donation to USA Cares.

"Baseball has stood the test of time and we only hope that this will provide the same strength to these families to get through this time.”

To order your iFungo Ordinance Bat go to www.ifungo.com.

Todd Civin is a freelance writer who writes for the Bleacher Report. He can be reached at toddcivin1@aim.com for hire or comments. He is also a supporter of "A Glove of Their Own" and encourages you to visit the site at www.agloveoftheirown.com. When purchasing the book use today's donor code USC247 USA Cares.