Baseball Tournament in 13th Year

The Wakefield All-Stars, pictured at left, were the 2007 MIT champions.

Ten Teams to Compete in 2008 Medford Invitational Tournament; Challenger Day in 2nd Year

– Ron Giovino, MIT President

Dear Friend of Medford Youth Sports,

The Medford Invitational Tournaments, Inc. is celebrating its thirteen year. Each year, we bring the best twelve-year-old baseball players in eastern Massachusetts together to play a two week tournament in the City of Medford. Our tournament has been recognized by the Boston Globe, Little League Baseball, the Eastern Mass Umpires Association, and countless community newspapers and organizations for its commitment to great baseball, sportsmanship, and having fun playing the game.

Thirteen Years of Excellence in Youth Baseball

The purpose of Medford Invitational Tournaments Organization (“MIT-Inc.”) is to promote youth baseball for boys and girls in the Medford and Greater Boston area. At the forefront of this objective is to ensure that Baseball, the national past-time and all the positive attributes of improving physical and mental prowess, sportsmanship, friendship, athletic competition and discipline is made available on a basis more regular than that offered through traditional organizations such as Little League, Babe Ruth and scholastic athletics. Simply put, our goal is to share our passion for the game with others. Our number one goal is to make sure that our young participants have fun playing baseball. Recognizing that the socio-economic setting of the cities and towns in which the founders wish to operate is diverse, it is of utmost importance that MIT programs be accessible to all boys and girls, regardless of financial status, race, color or religious belief.

The MIT is a non-profit organization. All proceeds from the baseball operations are given back to the community to support and promote youth sports activities. Each August, the Medford Invitational Tournaments, Inc. hosts its annual 12 year-old all-star tournament. This year’s tournament will include all-stars from Malden, Wakefield, Chelsea, Tewksbury, Charlestown, Somerville, Medford, Cambridge, Billerica, and Newton. The tournament runs for two weeks and is played at Columbus Park in South Medford, the official home of the Medford Invitational Tournament.

Last year, for the first time in our history, the MIT included players from Little League’s Challenger Division Baseball Program. The Challenger Division is a separate division of Little League Baseball to enable boys and girls with mental and physical disabilities, age 5-18 or the completion of high school, to enjoy the game of baseball along with millions of other children who participate in this sport worldwide. The tournament has invited players from all over the greater Boston area to joins us on this historic day. Thanks to our generous sponsors, the first Challenger Day was filled with an incomparable spirit of fun and athletic achievement. It was the greatest day of baseball I had ever seen. Please visit our website (www.mitbaseball.com) to view a slideshow of the event.

This year, we are committed to making our tournament even better than last year. In order to accomplish our goals, we need your help. We have received several requests from the business community asking us how they can help out. The MIT is accepting donations of money, services, and food. Last year’s program was underwritten by the great generosity of the business community. Our corporate sponsor, Wild Oats, provided all the food and refreshments for the kids. Unfortunately, Wild Oats is no longer in business.

During Challenger Day, we hope to set up tents in the outfield and feed almost 200 children and volunteers. Our goal is to provide shirts, hats, and trophies to all our participants. We are looking for varying levels of support from the business community.

All sponsors are recognized for their contributions. A special program will be prepared just for this event. All our sponsors will be listed in the program and recognized during the games. Our website, www.mitbaseball.com, includes a list of tournament sponsors.

We would also encourage gifts of merchandise or services.

We are so proud of this special event. We think it truly embodies what is good about sports and the City of Medford. We hope that you will all join us for this very special day. If you would like more information on how you can get involved, please contact me directly at 781-321-1836.

I would like to thank you in advance for your generosity to our community.