By Catherine Watts, Executive Director
Most people come to Riverwalk Stadium expecting baseball, fireworks, and a fun night with family and friends. Over the past two decades, many have also left with something more: information about domestic violence, healthy relationships, and where to turn for help. That doesn’t happen by accident.
Since arriving in Montgomery in 2004, the Montgomery Biscuits have made a deliberate choice to use their platform for more than entertainment. Through a long-standing partnership with Family Sunshine Center, they have helped raise awareness of domestic violence and available resources for thousands of people across our community. From large domestic violence awareness banners displayed at the entrance to Riverwalk Stadium to videos on the Jumbotron and in-game messaging, the Biscuits have consistently found ways to put important information in front of people who may not have been looking for it but may one day need it.
When I recently sat down with Biscuits General Manager Mike Murphy, he shared a perspective that perfectly captures why this partnership has been so meaningful. “A trip to the ballpark should never be about just baseball; it should be about the larger community. We have a responsibility to use our platform to support the community whenever possible. Sometimes this means planning fun events and celebrating sport; other times this means highlighting local service providers or sparking difficult, but necessary, conversations.”
That commitment has been evident year after year. The Biscuits have welcomed us to the ballpark for special awareness nights, supported annual Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation events that bring conversations about violence and healthy relationships to thousands of fans, and helped introduce countless community members to the services available through Family Sunshine Center. They have donated game packages for raffles and fundraising events, participated in community initiatives, and consistently leveraged their visibility to shine a light on issues affecting families throughout the River Region.
One of my favorite examples of this partnership took place in 2023, when the Biscuits recognized members of the Elmore County High School baseball team who had participated in Coaching Boys Into Men, a violence-prevention program that uses sports to teach young athletes about respect, healthy relationships, and leadership. The recognition celebrated a group of young men who had committed themselves to becoming better teammates, leaders, and members of their community. The program’s impact was evident not only in what the players learned, but in how they interacted with one another and the example they set for others.
That moment was especially meaningful to me because my husband, Todd, was one of the assistant coaches involved in the program. Watching those young men recognized on the field was a powerful reminder that prevention work does not always happen in counseling offices or classrooms. Sometimes it happens on baseball fields, in locker rooms, and through conversations led by trusted coaches and mentors. When community organizations, schools, coaches, and businesses work together, they have the power to shape the next generation in meaningful ways.
Looking back, what stands out most is not any single event, fundraiser, or awareness campaign. It is the Biscuits’ continued willingness to use their platform to support conversations that matter. Domestic and sexual violence is not just an issue for survivors or service providers. It is a community issue. Addressing it requires all of us to be willing to learn, speak up, and support one another.
For more than two decades, the Montgomery Biscuits have demonstrated what that commitment can look like in action. We are grateful for their partnership, their generosity, and their willingness to use the power of baseball to help build a safer, stronger community for everyone.