Ex-Brave David Justice to speak at ABF dinner

The American Baseball Foundation — a nonprofit based at St. Vincent’s Hospital — will host its 18th annual Lead Off Dinner at The Club on Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

The fundraiser will feature former Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees superstar David Justice, who will talk about his experiences competing on baseball’s biggest stage.

Co-founded in 1994 by Birmingham surgeon Dr. James Andrews — long based at St. Vincent’s — the ABF educates youth baseball pitchers in injury prevention. It also offers BASIC (Baseball & Academic Skills Instructional Course), a coed sports and education afterschool and summer camp for underserved children.

“Low reading and math levels are pandemic in our community, as they are in most urban areas,” said ABF co-founder David Osinski. “We’re using sports to improve reading and math.”

James Spann of ABC 33/40 will serve as host and lead a Q&A with Justice.

The event features a silent auction, and several former MLB players, including Boston Red Sox star Bernie Carbo, will sign free autographs. The ABF will present its annual Richard C. Sweeney Sr. Scholarship to a former BASIC student, Jessica Esparza, who’s now attending Jefferson State Community College.

For tickets, call 558-4235 or go to americanbaseballfoundation.com.