The 7th annual Pitch for the Cure started Friday and wrapped up Sunday, raising $25,000 for the Susan G. Komen foundation.
The Pitch for the Cure tournament included some 220 softball teams from seven states, including Arkansas. The softball event is not only for a good cause, it empowers young girls to make a difference in their community.
Lydia Belew, who plays third base, traveled from Beebe in Central Arkansas to participate Sunday at J.B. Hunt Park in Springdale. She dedicated the tournament to her 15-year-old cousin who suffers from breast cancer.
"You have to fight for it and you just have to keep believing," Belew said.
The event took place in five parks in Fayetteville, Springdale and Bentonville.
"We want them to give back to the community," said co-organizer Chris Bartholomew. "We want them to basically be more than just athletes on the field."
In the stands, there might be breast cancer survivors, those who are struggling through it or have lost a loved one to the disease.
"Some moms were here one year and they didn't come back with us, so that hurts us, but we do remember them," volunteer Susie Buttram said.
That's why volunteers said those lives lost make their mission to help find a cure even more important.
As for Lydia Belew, she said she not only plays for her family, but for others who live through the daily battle.
"It's been fun and we get to help people who need money for breast cancer," Belew said.
Since Pitch for the Cure started seven years ago, it has raised $155,000.
The money comes from donations that each team raises and a portion of profits from the event.