Strike-Out Arthritis is an annual philanthropic event hosted nationwide by Alpha Omicron Pi sorority chapters. This event ranges from softball and baseball to kickball, 5-K runs, volleyball, and bowling. This year, the Kappa Kappa Chapter hosted a kickball tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in the Field and Sports Building on Ball State University’s campus. They raised about $2,700, which will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation. This sisterhood prides itself in helping others, especially those who suffer from juvenile arthritis. “JA affects one in four children in the United States. It’s not just a grandparent’s disease,” Alexia Pantell, chapter director of philanthropy, said. (Photos by Meghan Sawitzke)
Mathilda Geyer looks to throw the ball to her teammate during a kickball tournament in the Field and Sports Building Saturday, April 5, 2025, during Alpha Omicron Pi’s annual Strike-Out Arthritis philanthropy event. (Meghan Sawitzke)Hir Patel (left) and Hailey Seymour (right) pose for a picture in the Field and Sports Building Saturday, April 5, 2025 during Alpha Omicron Pi’s annual Strike-Out Arthritis philanthropy event. (Meghan Sawitzke)Xavier Brown kicks the ball during a kickball tournament in the Field and Sports Building Saturday, April 5, 2025, during Alpha Omicron Pi’s annual Strike-Out Arthritis philanthropy event. (Meghan Sawitzke)Bella Kilps laughs as she prepares to throw the ball during a kickball tournament in the Field and Sports Building Saturday, April 5, 2025, during Alpha Omicron Pi’s annual Strike-Out Arthritis philanthropy event. (Meghan Sawitzke)Aubrey McCraney kicks the ball during a kickball tournament in the Field and Sports Building Saturday, April 5, 2025, during Alpha Omicron Pi’s annual Strike-Out Arthritis philanthropy event. (Meghan Sawitzke)Katie Field reaches out to catch the ball during a kickball tournament in the Field and Sports Building Saturday, April 5, 2025, during Alpha Omicron Pi’s annual Strike-Out Arthritis philanthropy event. (Meghan Sawitzke)Kaden Barnhart pitches the ball to home plate during a kickball tournament in the Field and Sports Building Saturday, April 5, 2025, during Alpha Omicron Pi’s annual Strike-Out Arthritis philanthropy event. (Meghan Sawitzke)A dry-erase board with the final kick-ball bracket in the Field and Sports Building Saturday, April 5, 2025, during Alpha Omicron Pi’s annual Strike-Out Arthritis philanthropy event. (Meghan Sawitzke)