Challenger Game Highlight of Baseball Tournament

Malden All-star John Marsinelli heads to first base after getting a hit during the Challenger Division game of the Medford Invitational Tournament.

According the Wikipedia, the question of the origins of baseball has been the subject of debate and controversy for more than a century. Baseball and the other modern bat, ball and running games, cricket and rounders, were developed from earlier folk games.

Americans played a version of the English game rounders in the early 19th century which they called “Town Ball.” In fact, early forms of baseball had a number of names, including “Base Ball,” “Goal Ball ” “Round Ball,” “Fletch-catch,” “stool ball,” and, simply, “Base.” In at least one version of the game, teams pitched to themselves, runners went around the bases in the opposite direction of today’s game, and players could be put out by being hit with the ball. Like today, a batter was called out after three strikes.

Few details of how the modern games developed from earlier folk games are known. Some think that various folk games resulted in a game called town ball from which baseball was eventually born.

Whether Doubleday created the basic concept of the game of baseball or not, no one couldn’t have imagine that on a weekend in August hundreds of years later, the “TOWN” of Medford could have been so impacted by the invention.

This weekend marked the conclusion of the Medford Invitational Tournament. The championship game concluded after two extra innings Medford’s own Leighton Helleberg sent a baseball into the night in left center to beat the Tewksbury all-stars to win the Championship trophy. It was another example of great baseball provided by the young all-stars in the storied history of the MIT. The funny part of this great local victory is that it was not the best game of the tournament.

In deference to the great efforts of the Medford All-stars and their big win on Monday night, the big game was Sunday afternoon. On Sunday afternoon, the MIT celebrated the second year of the best baseball ever, Challenger Day. The Challenger division of Little League is dedicated to helping kids with mental and physical disabilities play baseball.

Sunday was a beautiful day for baseball. Many dignitaries from Malden and Medford were on hand to once again support the MIT and welcome the athletes from Malden, Wakefield, Medford, Billerica, and the many cities and towns they support to Columbus Park. Close to forty athletes competed in this year’s Challenger Day… Over three hundred fans were on hand to cheer the kids on.

The magic of Challenger Day was in the air right in the early morning as the MIT staff and other volunteers gather to start preparing for the day. After two weeks of the intense tournament it was nice to see the smiles and sense of anticipation on the volunteers who couldn’t wait for the game to begin. The MIT staff clean and set up Columbus Park and spent time organizing the food and running through the events and everyone’s responsibilities so the day would be flawless.

Around noon, the first of the Challenger athletes began to enter the park with their families. Not far behind were the volunteers who generously came out to help. By 12:45, the park was filled with over two hundred people. The volunteers had gathered in right field for the pregame speech and it was time to begin.

Opening ceremonies began with all the fanfare of a World Series game. The program began with introduction of leaders of government and the business community. After that, the player introductions. As the music plays in the background, the players wait with great anticipation as their name is about to be called and the fans will cheer for them.

The pomp and circumstance continues with the very impressive entrance of the US Coast Guard District 12 Auxiliary Color Guard, led by color guard Commander, Kevin Ritchie, David Clinton, Mathew Mulvey, and Michael McKenzie. Once in position, Medford own Giovino sisters sang the National Anthem. Time to play ball?

Before the actual game, the MIT invited some surprised guests to the festivities. First, Wally the Green Monster came out from the BodyToppers building adjacent to the field. Wally was making his second appearance at the event. In an effort to always make the following year more memorable, the players next heard “Welcome to the Jungle” blaring out of the speakers as they were once again directed to behind home plate. The players were thrilled to see “Pat the Patriot” come out to meet them. The atmosphere on the field was electric, but there was still one more surprise. As the music erupted again, the fans could see the final celebrity, from the Boston Bruins, “Blades the Bear”. It was now time to play ball!

A one inning game with no one making an out and no one keeping score would be consider a boring game to some, but for me, it is was the best baseball I have ever seen. To watch these kids respectfully wait for their names to be called, focus on the at bat and despite physical and mental disabilities, hit the ball and run to first, is simply amazing. Add to that the fact that they all do it with a big smile. If Abner Doubleday was there on Sunday, he would say that Challenger Day is what he had in mind when he helped create what was once called TOWN BALL. I think this town did a great job of keeping the true baseball tradition alive.

We were able to sit down with MIT President, Ron Giovino right after the game.

The event has received great support from the business community. “We couldn’t do it without the generous contributions of our sponsors”, said MIT President, Ron Giovino. The sponsors are listed on the MIT website (www.mitbaseball.com) along with more photos of the event.

From the moment the kids arrive, there is an air of excitement at the park. The young athletes are so happy to be there and their smiles are infectious. The MIT staff gives them the “all-star treatment” as each athlete is announced on the loud speaker and is treated to the roar of the crowd as they take their position on the field.

Giovino described the game, “The game consists of a one inning challenge. Each player is assigned a “buddy” who assists them on the field. The volunteers did a great job of working with the kids. Some of the volunteers heard about the event and just showed up that day. Others brought their whole family down for the first time. Every player gets a chance to bat and play the field. The Challenger athletes take the game very seriously, but it is what happens between innings that gets them moving. Just before the teams change up, the MIT staff gets them involved in unique MIT entertainment. The kids really enjoy baseball fan favorites like singing to “Hey Baby” or “Sweet Caroline” and get to dance to “YMCA” or “The Chicken Dance”. The MIT Dancers, Tom and Chuck led the kids on the field. It is quite a spectacle to see all the fans come onto the field with the volunteers and kids and join in the party. It is something to see over three hundred people at a Little League Park dancing the Chicken Dance! “,Giovino concluded.

When the games were over, the athletes, volunteers, and fans were treated to lunch. The bulk of the food and drink was donated. Kelly’s Roast Beef donated the hotdogs, Regina’ Pizzeria Restaurant supplied everyone with their world famous pizza, and Raso’s brought chicken fingers and hamburgers. Modell’s Sporting Goods gave prizes to each of the participants. The food service volunteers did an incredible job of getting everyone fed. “We are so blessed to have so many caring people help us with Challenger Day” said Ron Giovino. “These kids are so special that once you have been at Challenger Day, you’re hooked for life.” “Every volunteer leaves the park thanking us and making the commitment to be there next year.” Giovino concluded.

“Even though this is the sixteenth tournament and fifth Challenger Day, I am so amazed at the spirit of this event”, said Giovino. “Our goals at the start of the two-weeks are to run a safe, fun and competitive event for the kids and the fans Once again the many volunteers have not only accomplished that goal, but exceeded everyone’s expectations”, he continued. “We always say that we measure the success of the tournament by the smiles we see on the kids and fans faces, but this year we were overwhelmed by the many volunteer’s smiles, as well.” “It is truly the magic of this event that makes people work so hard to make others happy” “Giovino concluded. I am so proud of the effort of these folks.” “They all have made memories for these kids that will last a lifetime and that is a great thing.”

The MIT Staff has done an incredible job of serving the community. They have really gone above and beyond to make this tournament so special. Whether it’s all the planning, the rules, the on field security, the singing and dancing, or the Challenger Day, these people did another great job. These folks are true heroes of the community. Congratulations to the MIT Staff!

Medford National’s Little League program was unbelievable in hosting the tournament. Special thanks to MNLL President Lonnie Hillson who lead the team of great volunteers.
In the concession stand the motto was “service with a smile”. Over the two weeks, the grounds crew maintained the field under all kinds of weather condition. They did an incredible job of keeping this tournament on schedule then getting the grille going to feed the masses.

They all are responsible for making this year’s tournament the best ever. They are ATH heroes and jewels of the city.

Finally, I want to thank my fellow journalists from The Medford Mercury, the Medford Transcript, Ablevision TV of Malden, Fox 25 News, and Inside Medford.com for taking time to cover our Challenger Day event. We are humbled by the attention to our event. Please visit the website or facebook site for detailed stories, photos, and videos.

– Submitted by Ron Giovino, MIT President