Since joining the club, Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland has given back to nonprofits regularly within the local community through volunteerism.
When the Denver native arrived to play at the Major League level, he took his cue from five-time Rockies Roberto Clemente nominee Ian Desmond and was influenced directly by his perspective on the importance of giving back. Kyle was grateful that Ian helped push him to become more involved in his hometown and Colorado nonprofit communities.
Kyle has been involved with Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) since his early years in pro ball, beginning with his time with the Rockies Rookie League team, the Grand Junction Rockies. Kyle’s “host mom” at the time in Grand Junction, Carmen Brown, was very active in the Special Olympics community, introducing Kyle to the organization and its athletes.
Kyle’s dedication to Special Olympics took hold in 2018 while on a road series in Seattle. Kyle spent his off day at the 2018 USA Games in Seattle, visiting with Special Olympics Colorado athletes. He interacted with many of the athletes from the Colorado team, and he admired the passion and perseverance they displayed. Since then, he aims to do as much as possible to support the organization's athletes.
In the past few seasons, Kyle has held fundraising raffles with unique, special baseball items. This year one lucky Special Olympics Colorado raffle winner will receive Kyle’s exclusively designed practice glove at the end of the season. Last summer, Kyle raffled off a pair of his game-worn spikes during a SOCO fundraiser along with other baseball-related memorabilia and offered different incentives throughout the year. All proceeds of the raffles benefit Special Olympics Colorado.
For years, the Rockies Foundation has teamed up with Special Olympics Colorado to host Fantasy Camp for Kids, specifically for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Kyle has volunteered regularly throughout the baseball season in the Rockies-sponsored youth baseball clinics and looks forward to the event each year. Kyle and his wife, Ashley, have also strongly supported Special Olympics independently of the Rockies' team efforts. Kyle and Ashley take every opportunity to support and advocate for the nonprofit, knowing it’s all about teamwork, cheering each other on and supporting teammates. Kyle appreciates being able to lend his support to SOCO’s efforts. This year, Kyle attended a golf tournament, specifically raising funds for year-round programs, sports, training, leadership opportunities and health screenings for nearly 16,000 children and adults in Colorado with intellectual disabilities at no cost to them or their families.
Kyle loves being from Denver and giving back wherever possible. Being a “Denver kid” is a point of pride for him, as is giving back where possible to his hometown.