10 in 10: Scherzer signs on to Cards for a Cause fundraiser for youth academy

From the time they arrived from Montreal before the 2005 season, the Nationals have been a mainstay in the Washington, D.C., sports scene. But the Nats are also very active in the community, working diligently over the past decade to touch the lives of many in the region and proving that baseball has a further reach than wins and losses, balls and strikes, batters and pitchers. Each Thursday through mid-August, MASNsports.com's Byron Kerr will explore the Nationals' community outreach efforts, showing how far their reach has extended and how deeply committed to Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area the Nationals are.

Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer is giving fans an opportunity to receive an autographed baseball card that benefits the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation.

Scherzer said he had success with this program while in Detroit and wanted to do a similar fundraiser with the Nationals.

"We started in Detroit and it was just a great way to raise money for a great cause and find the true fans who actually do want our autograph, because that's who we actually enjoy signing for," Scherzer said. "I think a lot of fans don't realize how many autograph hawks are chasing us down everywhere just to put it on eBay. This kind of accomplishes two goals: Let's raise money for a good cause and get everybody's attention to the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy.

"We're raising money for kids to be able to have a chance to play baseball and softball. So I feel like that accomplishes that goal. As players, we really do enjoy signing for true fans. We love signing for kids and putting a smile on everybody's face. It really accomplishes everything in one program."

The program is called "Baseball Cards for a Cause." At the end of the season, Scherzer will match all funds raised through the signings with a donation going to the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy.

Nationals fans who wish to participate in Baseball Cards for a Cause should send their Max Scherzer baseball card along with a $25 check or money order (made payable to the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation) and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the following address:

Max Scherzer 
Baseball Cards for a Cause

1500 S. Capitol St., SE

Washington, DC 20003

Remember to get your request in before Sept. 1.

Scherzer said the program is simplified because only baseball cards are allowed to be sent in to be signed.

"We are working with the baseball cards," Scherzer said. "That way, it makes it easy on everybody. It allows everybody a chance to be able to get an autographed baseball card. I know there's people that really enjoy it, so for me, I really enjoy signing them."

Over the years, Scherzer said he has received a few hundred card requests.

"Obviously, I get to see a bunch of Diamondback cards because everybody likes the rookie card, but it's fun to see the fans who are on the forefront and find a new Washington Nationals card, something I haven't even seen yet," Scherzer said.

Scherzer said the ability of the program to raise funds for the Youth Baseball Academy is crucial to his participation. He is thrilled to see the academy grow and help out so many kids.

"What the Nationals do with the Youth Baseball Academy, when I've gone over there and seen the facilities, they're really unbelievable facilities for at-risk kids and what they provide for schooling and everything," Scherzer said. "They really provide a great service. That's something that really hits my heart. Something that I want to contribute to, as well, support and give time to, as well. For me, we are accomplishing a lot of things in one program."

The Nationals remind fans that Baseball Cards for a Cause is a seasonal program and autographs are limited to two per person per season. Cards that arrive after Sept. 1 will be returned unsigned. The Nationals will accept baseball cards for next seson beginning March 1.

For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

* Photo of Scherzer signing by Patrick McDermott, Washington Nationals; photo of Scherzer card courtesy of Washington Nationals

Miss any of the previous installments of "10 in 10" detailing the Nationals' community outreach efforts? Here is the list to date:

June 11 - Dream Foundation builds off success to introduce new initiative
June 18 - Nationals look to improve D.C. Little Leagues with new uniforms, equipment and fields
June 25 - Diabetes Care Complex critical to Dream Foundation mission
July 2 - ziMS Foundation has raised more than $1 million for MS research
July 9 - Span starts his own foundation to help single-parent families
July 16 - Storen makes a pitch for D.C. Public Library summer reading program