“My joke was the reason we originally named them Bloomingdale Distance was we had a long way to go,” he said.
Now, almost 10 years later, the Bullets Baseball Organization boasts nine teams with more than 100 players between the ages of 8 to 18. The club recruits players from Bloomingdale, Pinecrest and South Brandon Little Leagues.
A number of Bullets teams have won multiple state and national tournaments over the years. In addition, 70 percent of the players on the debut roster advanced to high school ball. Several inaugural-year players, including Giardina’s son, Carmine, graduated high school in 2006 and went on to play college ball. Carmine Giardina plays for the University of Central Florida Golden Knights.
According to the organization’s founders, however, the Bullets biggest accomplishments can’t be measured on a scoreboard or a stats sheet.
This month, the league held its third annual baseball marathon to benefit Brandon-area families in need.
Every player in the league collected “per inning” dollar amount pledges from family, friends and neighbors. In exchange, all nine teams pledged to play at least 100 consecutive innings of baseball in one day.
The Jan. 6 marathon game began at 8 a.m. at Bloomingdale Park, 2215 Bloomingdale Ave. By 3:30 p.m., the group had played 400 innings and raised $13,500, earmarked this year to benefit the Greater Brandon Community Foundation.
Giardina credits the success of the annual marathon to the all-inclusive involvement of Bullets players and families.
“We’ve got a lot of people in our organization on board with giving back to the community,” he said. “These kids are very blessed with what they have. Every player in our organization takes part in our vision to give a little back.”
Last January, the group raised $12,000 to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. In 2005, the marathon netted $7,500, which the team donated to the Disaster Relief Fund of the American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter, to benefit the victims of Hurricane Charley in Punta Gorda.
In addition to the marathon, the club holds two more annual benefit programs.
Each November, every family in the organization pays a $40 community outreach fee to provide Thanksgiving dinner for one area family in need. Last year, they provided turkeys and all the trimmings for 100 families, most identified by Dover Baptist Church as disadvantage migrant farm workers. 
In December, each family is asked to buy $40 worth of Christmas gifts for a needy child. The group hosts a holiday dinner party to distribute the gifts at the Dover church. Last December, they cooked and served dinner to 100 underprivileged kids and their families. After the dishes were done, the players looked on as their guests open presents.
“It is an incredible event, and an incredible opportunity for the boys to see first hand how they’ve personally helped one child, one family,” Giardina said.
“Our whole goal with our three outreach events is to teach these kids how to give back to the community,” he continued. “If they’re in our organization for 10 years – from the time they’re 8 until they’re 18 – community service and giving back is going to become a big part of their lives.”
The group has partnered with Hillsborough County’s Parks and Recreation Department to refurbish the baseball fields at Dover Park on Gallagher Road. Although the club leases the fields, it’s working on a major overhaul of the facility.
“We don’t own the property, but we’re spending close to $10,000 to upgrade the baseball fields. Not only will it be a great place for our league to practice and play, it will provide a great field for the community to use,” said Lancaster.
Giardina’s biggest hopes for the club’s future don’t have anything to do with tournaments or trophies.
He hopes to continue to expand the league’s fundraising and community outreach efforts. He’d also like to run a few free camps for underprivileged kids.
Most of all, he’d like to see other youth baseball organizations step up to the plate with similar outreach programs.
“I feel we have something very special here with the Bullets, and I hope that other organizations will follow this path. How great would it be to have all these leagues using the greatest game in the world to help people in need, and to teach our youth how to do that?” he said.
For more information, call 661-4525.