In the spirit of the World Series, we’ve decided to hold our own competition of sorts to see which of the teams in the running for the coveted championship, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, rates highest in volunteerism. I mean, it is what we at DoSomething.org are all about, right?

We’re happy to announce that both teams are committed to making a difference in their communities. Both have an extensive list of outreach programs. Here are a few highlights for your viewing pleasure.

New York Yankees

This team has a seemingly endless list of programs created to foster cooperative relationships with their neighbors. Among the efforts we most loved were HOPE and the Yankees Youth Leadership Corp.

HOPE Week

This year the Yankees introduced HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere & Excel), a unique week-long community program that brought to light five remarkable stories to inspire individuals into action in their own communities.
The creation of HOPE Week (held in July) was rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture. This year’s HOPE Week honorees included:

• A child with cerebral palsy who is confined to a wheelchair and unable to communicate through conventional speech became an inspiration to his Little League teammates by dressing in uniform, sitting in the dugout with them and giving high fives as necessary. This season, the team won the league championship. Yankees players met the child and his best friends for lunch at a local eatery. Afterward, Yankees players gave a talk about baseball and sportsmanship before holding a brief baseball skills clinic. The child and his teammates were also invited to attend the Yankees game that evening.
• An Army veteran in upstate New York who has lost use of his arms and legs due to ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease). At a party with his family and friends, he was be shown a videotaped message from a Yankees player, inviting him to fulfill his dream of watching a game at Yankee Stadium with his young son. Yankees players added a surprise for them by giving them a private Stadium tour from the players themselves.

Youth Leadership Corp

Every year, the Yankees work in conjunction with the 12 community boards of the Bronx to identify five young people who are providing a positive service to their community. These kids make up The New York Yankees Community Council Leadership Corp and are provided with a stipend to assist them in continuing their work in the community.

Philadelphia Phillies

We were impressed by this team’s massive inventory of programs for the community. Our faves include the Phillies Phundamentals and the Harmony Fan Club.

Phillies Phundamentals

Launched in January 2001, this is a an after-school/summer camp program in recreation centers throughout Philadelphia for children 7-12 years old that uses baseball to teach and reinforce academic skills. Since its inception, Phillies Phundamentals has taken place in 30 different locations and reaches approximately 2,000 children each year.

Phillies Harmony Fan Club

This program offers baseball and other sports as recreational outlets for mentally and physically disabled children and adults. Each year, the program provides a safe and welcoming environment for thousands of participants and their families who would not otherwise have an opportunity to learn the game of baseball while connecting with their community.

Individual players

So, it’s obvious that these guys do amazing work as teams, so how do they add up as individuals? Our research showed that even here they rank pretty high. In fact, two players in particular stick out.

The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to the player who combines giving back to the community with outstanding on-field skills. Named for the 2-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua, the award perpetuates Clemente's achievements and character by recognizing current-day players who truly understand the value of helping others.

The 30 Club recipients of the 2009 Roberto Clemente Award included Yankees shortstop and captain Derek Jeter & Philadelphia Phillies left-handed starting pitcher and MVP of the 2008 World Series and National League Championship Series, Cole Hamels.

So it seems the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied in our book when it comes to their dedication to taking action and honoring those that do… Let’s see how they add up at game time.