The Santa Barbara Foresters baseball team founded the program Hugs for Cubs to support young people with cancer and their families. The late Eric Pintard, a former Foresters player and coach who battled cancer, started the program. Each summer Hugs for Cubs organizes events like bowling, surfing, and special events at Foresters games to bring the families together with players and have fun making memories.

1. By Kenny Slaught

2.  The Santa Barbara Foresters baseball team
endeavors to remain connected to the community
through Hugs for Cubs, a program that provides
support to young people with cancer, as well as
their parents and siblings. The late Eric Pintard,
former Foresters pitcher and coach, founded the
program during his own battle with cancer, and
the baseball team honors his memory by keeping
the program alive.
Each summer, Hugs for Cubs organizes a wide
range of events for the families it supports,
bringing them together with players and coaches
to have fun and create memories.

3.  In the past, the program has taken families
bowling, organized surf days, and held
special events during Foresters games. In
addition, families have had the opportunity to
go to Angel Stadium and meet Major League
players.
Interested individuals can learn how to get
involved with Hugs for Cubs on the Foresters
website, www.sbforesters.org.