D-backs Closer Paul Sewald Re-Launches Heartwarming Charity Effort

Arizona's returning closer is bringing his charity efforts back to the valley.

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald alongside D-backs SVP, Corporate & Community Impact Debbie Castaldo and Child Crisis Arizona SVP, Development & Communications, Justin Duran. | Jack Sommers.

After a year away from the Arizona Diamondbacks, returning closer Paul Sewald has re-launched his charity efforts in the Phoenix area.

Sewald's Strikeouts 4 Kids, in partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and Child Crisis Arizona, will make its return to the valley.

What is Sewald's Strikeouts 4 Kids?

Apr 29, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Paul Sewald (38) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the ninth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Sewald's personal charity effort pledges $500 for each strikeout he records on the season to Child Crisis Arizona — an organization that provides resources and safe environments for both financially-underprivileged and abused children. The Arizona Diamondbacks foundation is matching each $500.

As such, Sewald's 15 strikeouts in the 2026 season have been worth $15,000 in total donations to Child Crisis Arizona. For the four seasons Sewald has done this (across Seattle and Phoenix), the total amount has reached $336,000 and counting.

"Kids are the most important part of our lives," Sewald said. "[Child Crisis] provides foster care, they provide counseling, they provide schooling they provide just anything that these kids could possibly need — things that we take for granted, especially people in this room."

"I have every resource imaginable to be a parent and it still is extremely difficult. ... Molly and I have everything that we could possibly need, and still feel challenged in that in that aspect.

"To imagine what it's like to try to raise kids when both parents are working two jobs, or there's only one parent there... I can't imagine how difficult it would be when the cards are stacked against you," Sewald said.

Fans can also donate to the cause alongside Arizona's closer. Fans can match the strikeout count, or simply make a one-time pledge to Child Crisis Arizona.

"I can't thank D-backs Give Back and the Kendricks for their matching," Sewald said. "When we were here in 2024 it was just incredible. This is Molly and I's cause, and they didn't blink, and matched every dollar that we gave, so just an extra special thank-you to them."

Sewald has pitched to a 3.86 ERA this season in 11.2 innings, and is a perfect 7-for-7 in save opportunities. The 35-year-old right-hander said he has more than one source of motivation to continue punching out opposing hitters

"I'm going to continue to try to strike everybody out every time I face them. Feels like a win-win-win for everybody. We have five months to go; we're going to keep trying to rack them up."

"This is how we can give back. We're just in a situation that I never dreamed was possible, and so the least I could do is try to give back a little bit," Sewald said.