All For Alex Softball Tournament Honors Late Teen, Raises $250K

All For Alex Softball Tournament Honors Late Teen, Raises $250K...

The "All for Alex" charity softball tournament has gone viral after raising over $250,000 this weekend in memory of Alex Ott, a 17-year-old from Ohio who died in a 2024 car accident. The annual event, held April 9-11 in Columbus, drew 1,200 players and 5,000 spectators, trending nationally as communities rallied behind the Ott family's foundation for teen driver safety.

Alex's parents launched the tournament last year through their nonprofit Alex’s Lemonade Legacy, which has now funded 34 scholarships and installed dash cams in 120 school buses. This year’s record turnout included MLB All-Star pitcher Trevor Bauer, who coached a team of local high school players. “Alex loved softball and helping others,” said his mother Diane Ott. “Seeing his friends keep that spirit alive is everything.”

The event trended on social media as #AllForAlex videos showed emotional moments, including when Alex’s sister threw the ceremonial first pitch. Donations surged after ESPN featured the tournament during Sunday’s SportsCenter. Funds will expand the foundation’s free defensive driving courses, which have already trained 800 teens across Ohio.

Organizers confirmed the tournament will return April 8-10, 2027, with plans to add a national livestream. The Ott family hopes to partner with more MLB players to grow what’s become one of the Midwest’s largest charity sporting events.