Heroes at Bat: How Kinetic Helped a Community Tradition Make a Bigger Impact This Season

Every community has traditions that bring people together. Heroes at Bat, formerly known as Guns and Hoses, has become one of Billings’ favorites. Now in its fifth year, the annual softball game between the Billings Fire Department and the Billings Police Department brings friendly rivalry to the field while raising money for a local nonprofit. Each year, the organizers select a different charity to receive the proceeds, which keeps the mission fresh and community-driven. In 2025, they chose the Montana Hope Project, an organization that grants wishes to critically ill children across the state.

Kinetic Marketing and Creative partnered with Heroes at Bat to strengthen the event’s impact. The organizers hired Kinetic to rename and rebrand the event as Heroes at Bat, and our team donated our strategy and development services in the spirit of generosity, giving and community. By creating the event’s first dedicated website and social media profiles and building a two-month content plan, we helped increase visibility, make early giving possible and expand community engagement.

The Challenge: A Growing Event Without a Centralized Digital Foundation

When the organizers approached Kinetic, the event was still operating under its original name, Guns and Hoses. They hired Kinetic to rename and reposition the event as Heroes at Bat so it could grow with the community and better reflect the spirit of friendly competition and charitable impact. Although the event had built momentum over its first four years, its online presence had become fragmented.

Updates lived across several different pages, which made it difficult for supporters to find consistent information. As a result, the Billings community did not have:

• Official Facebook or Instagram profiles that served as a streamlined place for event information
• A standalone website with clear details
• A single spot to highlight vendors and sponsors
• A way to donate before the event

Before 2025, supporters who wanted to give early often relied on a Venmo barcode system. Kinetic upleveled this process by creating a branded website with an integrated online donation tool. This made it easier for supporters to participate in the weeks leading up to game day or give even if they could not attend.

The organizers wanted to modernize communication, elevate the Montana Hope Project and make it simpler for people to get involved. Kinetic donated our services to help them achieve that vision.

The Solution: A Dedicated Website and Social Strategy Built to Grow Community Support

Kinetic’s goal was to give Heroes at Bat the digital foundation needed to elevate both the event and the nonprofit it supports.

A Standalone Website Designed for Clarity and Giving

We created the first official Heroes at Bat website. The site included:

• A clear overview of the event
• Information about the Montana Hope Project
• Sponsor highlights
• A simple and secure online donation page

This was the first year supporters could donate ahead of time in the weeks leading up to the game.

Official Facebook and Instagram Profiles

Kinetic developed a dedicated Facebook page and Instagram profile for the event, along with an official Facebook event. These platforms created a centralized place for updates, community interaction and promotion.

Two Months of Consistent, Strategy-Driven Content

To build anticipation and encourage participation, we planned, wrote, designed and scheduled two full months of content on Facebook and Instagram. Posts highlighted:

• The mission of the Montana Hope Project
• Sponsor involvement
• Event logistics and reminders
• Photos from past games to build excitement and connection
• A link to the website to donate

This consistent approach helped grow awareness and strengthen support throughout the lead-up to game day.

The Results: Expanded Visibility, Higher Engagement and More Than $2,000 Raised Online

Kinetic’s digital foundation and content strategy produced measurable results that helped Heroes at Bat generate more community support than ever before.

More than $2,000 raised online before game day

Supporters embraced the new website and early donation option.

Major increases in social reach and visibility

Kinetic’s two-month content strategy across Facebook and Instagram created major visibility gains and engagement well above nonprofit industry benchmarks.

Reach and visibility:

• Heroes at Bat Instagram posts were seen 26,222 times by users.
• Heroes at Bat Facebook posts were seen 277,590 times by users.

Facebook event performance:

• 87 people responded “Going.”
• 632 people responded “Interested.”

Engagement Rates That Outperformed Industry Averages

• Instagram engagement rate: 34.22%, which is 1.7K% higher than the nonprofit industry average of 1.93 percent.
• Facebook engagement rate: 6.47%, which is 215% higher than the nonprofit industry average of 2.05 percent.

Together, these metrics demonstrate strong community enthusiasm, high-quality content performance and exceptional early-stage growth for a newly established digital presence.

Increased community engagement and expanded visibility

Two months of content helped build momentum and strengthen support for the Montana Hope Project.

A stronger platform for event sponsors

Prominent placement on the website and social channels elevated visibility for partners who help make the event possible.

Why Kinetic Donated This Work

Heroes at Bat reflects the values that make our community strong. By supporting local families and helping fulfill wishes for children facing critical illnesses, the event creates a meaningful impact across Montana. Donating our time and expertise was an opportunity to support a cause we believe in and invest in our community in a way that aligns with our values.

Build Momentum With a Team Committed to Community Impact

Kinetic partners with organizations that create positive change. Whether you are building an event, strengthening awareness or growing your mission, we are here to help you move forward. Ready to elevate your impact? Let’s connect. Read the full case study here.