In Jayson Stark’s “Worth The Wait: The Tales of the 2008 Phillies,” Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia’s catcher, noted that when his team clinched a berth in the 2008 World Series, all of the hard work he had put forth since he was a boy had become validated. Growing up in Panama with a baseball glove and a dream, he would spend eight seasons climbing through the Phillies’ minor league system before making his MLB debut in 2006.  Since entering the majors full-time in 2007, Chooch (add extra o’s at your own leisure), has earned a reputation for working hard behind home plate, staying alive through tough pitch counts and getting clutch hits when it matters most. Just ask the Tampa Bay Rays—I’m sure they remember the legend of Señor Octubre.

Since that miraculous autumn in 2008, Ruiz has been supporting the hard work and dreams of others. Following their 4-3 win over the Florida Marlins on Sun., April 13, Chooch and a handful of his Phillies teammates met up with over 400 guests at North Bowl in Northern Liberties for “Getting Into The Game,” a private fundraiser benefiting Philadelphia Futures. The night featured a variety of activities including auctions, raffles and bowling and billiards tournaments. Individual donors and businesses sponsored the tournament teams with Phillies players and local media personalities stepping up as team captains.

Philadelphia Futures is an organization that provides some of the city’s low-income, first-generation-to-college students with the tools, resources and opportunities necessary for admission to and success in college. The organization provides a wealth of services to children in need so they can break down the gates that deny many of Philadelphia’s students access to higher education.

“[Philadelphia Futures] works with students throughout the city of Philadelphia and helps them throughout their high school years,” Ann-Therese Ortiz, Director of Pre-College Programs at Philadelphia Futures, said. “With our direct services program we are able to work with kids from ninth grade until they are done with college.”

Services include intensive year-round academic services, mentoring, SAT preparation, college guidance and the ability to create a positive peer network of like-minded students with college aspirations.

“It gives them a chance to think about picturing themselves in college and learning what to do to get there,” Oritz said.

Anthony David Williams, a junior at Bodine High School For International Affairs on 1101 N. 4th St., was one of the Philadelphia Futures students at the event. Williams, a bright, well-spoken young man from Rising Sun and Olney, was extremely appreciative of the opportunities that Philadelphia Futures has offered him. But perhaps the biggest perk that Anthony and his peers are eligible for at Philadelphia Futures is the Partnership Scholarship Award.

“Philadelphia Futures has partnerships with colleges like Lafayette, Gettysburg, Haverford,” Williams said. “So whichever one we get accepted into, we can apply for a scholarship and essentially a free ride.” He reiterated that again with feeling—”A free ride!”

“What we are trying to do is help students find the colleges that are the best fit for them—who is going to prove the best academic, social and financial fit,” Ortiz said. “We have partner colleges and universities in the area that are willing and able to provide full need scholarships to Philadelphia Futures students once they are admitted.”

This was the 14th year that Philadelphia Futures and the Phillies have partnered on “Get in the Game,” and the event has gone on to raise more than $1.6 million to support Philadelphia Futures’ services and students.

“It’s a really wonderful night and we couldn’t do it without the Phillies, who have been a fantastic partner for us,” Ortiz said. “Carlos Ruiz has been phenomenal, he really believes in this mission. He has come in and met the students, he’s committed and he brings his teammates out in full force.”

Teammates who did make the trip out to bowl in NoLibs included Ryan Howard, Dom Brown, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. The players, some of whom are seen as demi-gods in this town, were refreshingly approachable as they bowled and chatted with the donors, sponsors and, most importantly, the kids.

“It was really inspiring to talk to the players and meet someone who actually made it in their own line of work,” Williams said. “To see how down to earth and excited they were to talk with us and takes pictures with us, it was great.”

“It’s obviously great [being involved with Philadelphia Futures]. I’ve been a part of this now for eight, nine, ten years, and every year they do a great job raising a ton of money,” said Utley, who’s played second base for the Phillies since 2003. “It’s good player support and most importantly it’s for the students.”

Editorial Note: Watching Utley, who I’ve seen hit countless curve balls, put English on his bowling ball to nail a tough split for a spare was a thing of beauty. I also tried to get a quote from the Phillies Phanatic but all I managed to get out of him was a high five and an intrusive eskimo kiss… I took that as, “I’m having the time of my life right now.”

Fun with the Phillies aside, the event was successful in the eyes of Philadelphia Futures and the children who benefit from the organization.

“I’ve been at Futures since 2000 and I’ve seen students graduate high school, college and graduate school, just watching them access the dream. And that for me is the only way to equalize the playing field—students get access to college and use their opportunity to support their family,” Ortiz said. “And this [event] is the best— to see the goodwill of the community, to see our students meeting people and to see the Phillies out, who could ask for a better night?”

“It feels good, especially coming from Rising Sun and Olney, knowing that somebody has your back,” Williams said. “Being a part of Philadelphia Futures you get a sense of camaraderie with the other students and the staff. Taking it one step further, knowing that The Phillies have our backs and accept us as people, that makes us fell really, really good.”