For Rays' Ryan Vilade and his dad, the real work is to share the game

The text message has been part of the daily routine for years, a father's words of care, advice and guidance before his son takes the field.

"I love you … Play winning baseball … Take God With You."

But there's another line that James Vilade types out to Ryan prior to each game with his new Rays team and previously his past ones that, in a way, has the broadest meaning:

"Share the Game."

That phrase is a core principle in the foundation James runs and Ryan participates heavily in, called Keeper of The Game.

The group's posted mission statement is to "provide kids and young adults with special needs and disabilities unique baseball experiences that foster the growth of those individuals and their love of baseball."

In simplest form, to share the game.

"That's one of our goals, to share the game with people who can't," Ryan said. "To take someone on the field with you so you're not all out there alone. It's just how blessed we are to play this game, and not everyone can. It just helps you realize that this is just a game - have fun, enjoy the moment, and don't take anything for granted."

Throughout a baseball life primarily spent coaching - in the minor leagues, at large and small colleges and now at the private high school level in the Dallas area - James, 53, has been keen on advocation.

He formed the foundation, a registered nonprofit, in 2014 through a culmination of coincidences.

James was predisposed to helping those with disabilities, having grown up with dyslexia at a time when resources and understanding weren't abundant.

While he was coaching, his wife, Jennifer, was a special education teacher at a Dallas-area elementary school. Jennifer had a student, Hollis, who had physical disabilities but a love for baseball. James saw him one day and was drawn to help kids in similar situations realize their joy.

"Serving those," James said, "who need us most."

Within a couple of years, and with plenty of help, James launched the foundation.

The name came from one friend, Mike Basso, who remembered what another, Red Murff, a former big-league pitcher and longtime scout (who famously discovered Nolan Ryan), had taught them before passing - to be a keeper of the game.

"I just figured when I got my opportunities and I got a platform, I was like, I'm taking everybody with me. I'm going to embrace the community that I'm a part of," James said. "And through baseball, it's been wonderful.

"There's been so many great stories, life-changing stories, stories of impact, empowerment, confidence. Golly, it's been such a blessing. And Ryan's been with me every step of the way."

When Ryan was drafted by the Rockies in the second round of the 2017 draft out of Stillwater (Okla.) High, James wanted him to continue spreading the word of their work.

"The one thing I told him is that I want you to impact every community that you go in," James said. "And there's so many stories of it. Every place that he's been, he's found a way to impact the special-needs community, a lot of different needs. And a lot of the families that he's impacted are still in touch with us to this day."

Ryan is now in his 10th year of pro ball, with his sixth organization. He has played for 10 minor-league teams, spending most of five straight seasons (2021-25) at Triple A. The Rays are the fifth big-league team he has played for and, so far, have provided the most opportunity. Friday was his 16th game for the Rays; during stints with the Rockies, Tigers, Cardinals and Reds he played in a total of 28.

At each stop, Ryan, 27, has tried to help. Now he is starting to make those connections in the Tampa Bay area, on Friday donating $2,600 - tied to his No. 26 jersey - to the Rays' charitable foundation. After joining other Rays in greeting guests for the team's Magic Monday events, when it hosts members of local leagues who have unique abilities, he sent James photos. He is, as usual, open to do more.

"It's an amazing foundation," Ryan said. "Just being a part of the community, helping kids, on and off the field. Sharing the game with them and really, just being there for them, whether that's with camps or equipment, or just everyday life.

"Any way we can help, we love to. It's been a big part of our family and our lives."

That help can be provided in different ways.

Scholarships, grants, reimbursements for families who face unexpected expenses due to a child's hospital stay. Events such as baseball clinics, movie and bowling nights, trips to minor-league games, meet-and-greets. Free jerseys, backpacks, baseball gear.

There are two rules James - "from my heart" - insisted on: All events they do are free for the kids and their families, and no one ages out of being a member.

"We've just found ways to advance our programming," he said. "Selfishly, I don't want to say goodbye (to the kids). That's part of it."

There also are few limits.

"We encompass any level of disability," James said. "We have kids that I would consider have a mild disability where they're able-bodied and they function at a very high rate, but there's something that they battle. And then we have kids that are medically fragile, that are in chairs and that have 24/7 care. So, it's really unique."

James, Ryan, the foundation staff and volunteers make them all feel special.

"What's really cool is that it's even to the point where we're a team," James said. "You've got the Rays and you've got the Yankees, and then you've got the team you play on, but for these kids, we're their team. We're their logo. We are everything that they want to be a part of that is a team - and that is baseball."

Most of their in-person events have been in the Dallas area or communities where Ryan is playing. They have started to spread their help through other states and Puerto Rico, as well as internationally, connecting with causes in Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, where the game is also popular.

Sometimes, that help can be delivered in small form.

When James, who is at Tropicana Field this weekend for his dad's 80th birthday, goes to see Ryan play he will sometimes spot a special-needs kid among the fans, introduce himself and the foundation, and take them to the stadium store for a shopping spree of team merchandise.

"It's just really sharing the game."

They've gotten support from big-league players going to back to Elvis Andrus, Chris Davis and Rougned Odor, who James coached for the Rangers at the Double-A level.

James said they make a point to not ask big-leaguers for money, but that help comes organically or in other forms. More recent/current big-leaguers who have leant a hand include Bobby Witt Jr., Jose Trevino, Rowdy Tellez, Ryan O'Hearn and Hunter Dozier.

"We have a good group of guys that really care for it, and it's super cool to see everyone come together and be a part of it," Ryan said. "There's a lot of guys that have been a part of it for a long time."

Ryan, of course, has done the most.

And no one could be prouder than James, knowing how their work together is helping to do so much good - and to share the game.

"He definitely understands the impact that baseball has besides on himself," James said. "He's done a great job of that."

• • •

Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.

Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.

Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 10:38 AM.