Pittsburgh Pirates Gold Glove outfielder Corey Dickerson and his wife Beth Anne today pledged to support those living with autism and their families as they announced the launch of their “Assists for Autism” initiative. April is Autism Awareness Month and during the month the Dickersons will donate $100 for every outfield assist recorded throughout Major League Baseball.

In addition, for the remainder of the season, the Dickersons will donate $1,000 for every Pirates outfield assist recorded from May 1 through the final game of the regular season against the Cincinnati Reds on September 29.

In 2018, Major League outfielders averaged 128 outfield assists per month during the regular season and the Pirates outfielders collected a total of 34 outfield assists last season, tied for the second most in the Majors.

The funds from the Dickersons’ “Assists for Autism” initiative will be donated to the nonprofit organization Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support. The organization’s goal is to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder and advance research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. For more information on Autism Speaks, please visit autismspeaks.org.

Fans are encouraged to help add to the total funds raised during the month of April via the Dickersons’ “Pledge It” page at pledgeit.org/assists-for-autism beginning on March 31. Pledge It is a fundraising platform allowing family, friends and fans to donate their support based on an individual or team performance. For this campaign, fans will be able to donate based on every outfield assist registered across the league with all funds directed to Autism Speaks.

In addition to the fundraising campaign and the Dickersons and Pirates Charities will work with various organizations throughout the season to host children impacted by autism and their families at PNC Park. Also, May 5 is Autism Awareness Day and Pirates Charities will donate all proceeds of the Pirates Charities 50/50 raffle, presented by Rivers Casino that game to the Assists for Autism initiative.