Hayes, is the definition of an athlete — works hard, stays humble, lifts teammates, lives for the game, and leads with heart!
You decide who will be named Youth Athlete of the Year, featured in a 3BRAND ad in Sports Illustrated, and take home $25,000
Hayes loves baseball for the grind, the game, the team — it’s his passion, his joy, his challenge, and his favorite place to be.
Elly De La Cruz inspires Hayes because he plays with fearless energy, confidence, and pure love for the game. Elly’s speed, power, and hustle show Hayes that hard work and heart can make you unstoppable. Hayes looks up to how Elly lifts his team, plays with joy, and never backs down from a challenge. Watching Elly reminds Hayes to believe in himself, have fun, and leave it all on the field every game.
One moment that made me the proudest is when Hayes threw a 4-inning game with 12 strikeouts, no walks, only 1 hit, and 1 hit batter. Despite nearly pitching a perfect game, what stood out most was how he gave all the credit to God and his teammates. That kind of humility, gratitude, and team spirit is huge for a 9-year-old — it showed not just his talent, but his heart and character.
Vote for Hayes to become the Youth Athlete of the Year while supporting two great causes! Cast your free daily vote below, or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation—supporting the V Foundation for Cancer Research and Why Not You Foundation.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Youth Athlete of the Year, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
