Former Phillie and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt made a special appearance at Turk Park’s baseball field in Warrington to deliver a message about sun safety to local Little Leaguers, writes Ariel Simpson for The Philadelphia Inquirer.  

Schmidt spoke with the kids about the importance of sun protection during Dermatology Partners and the Richard David Kann (RDK) Melanoma Foundation’s “Play Sun Safe” event with the Doylestown Athletic Association.  

The three-time National League MVP was diagnosed with melanoma in 2013 and has since been on a mission to raise awareness for skin cancer. 

“Our mission here in Philadelphia is to stop skin cancer,” he said. “The one way to do that is start with the kids at a young age. For them to develop the right habits to skin care and one for sure is sunscreen. One is covering your body when you’re in the sun, trying to limit the time you spend in the sun.” 

The initiative provides free sunscreen access and sun safety education, as well as engagement with youth softball and baseball teams. The Doylestown Athletic Association is one of the first organizations to benefit from the partnership. 

“[This partnership] is great for the community, it’s great for DAA baseball,” said DAA’s Managing Director, Fred Greco. “Just to have Mike Schmidt, the best baseball third baseman, Hall of Famer, of all time, here in our community is just a great thing for the program.” 

Read more about the event at Warrington’s Turk Park with Mike Schmidt and the new initiative in The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

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