Medford Invitational Tournament Moving to Billerica
Last year’s Medford All-stars team won the tournament.
On behalf of the board of directors of the Medford Invitational Tournament, I regret to report that the Medford Invitational Tournament will not be played in the City of Medford this year and for the foreseeable future. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to secure a venue for the event that can support the tournament.
We wish to thank the little league programs that have supported the tournament for the seventeen years it has been held in the City of Medford. We are grateful for their support.
The MIT has become a part of the Medford sports scene for almost two decades and we did everything we could do to keep the tradition alive this year, but after lengthy discussions with the city’s available little leagues, it became abundantly clear that our time in Medford had ended.
We are pleased to announce that the 2012 Medford Invitational Tournament will continue in Billerica. During our decision process over the last week, the leaders from the Billerica Little league offered their services when they learned the tournament was in jeopardy. Last weekend, the board of directors voted to hold the tournament in Billerica.
“We began here in Medford and we will always be known as the Medford Invitational Tournament wherever it is played. When we started this tournament back in 1996, we wanted to create a baseball tournament that young ballplayers would remember their entire lives. I think we have accomplished that goal. Over the years, the MIT’s baseball tournament and winter clinic have always given back to the community. The MIT has given to many great causes, from being one of the first sponsors of the new girl’s hockey team to financing many repairs and improvements at Playstead Park. We are very proud to use the name Medford in our name and it is our hope that the sponsors and volunteers, who have generously given to our organization over the years, will continue to support the work we do,” said MIT President and CEO, Ron Giovino.
The feature event for the MIT over the past six years has been the Challenger Day event. The day is dedicated to celebrating special athletes who play baseball despite mental and physical disabilities. It is a day of fun and excitement that gives these special athletes the all-star treatment they desire. Since most of the fifty challenger athletes live in or around Medford, it was important for us to find a place close by to play the game. We spoke with Malden Mayor, Gary Christenson, this week and explained our homeless plight. The mayor who has been a supporter of Challenger Day since its inception did not even blink an eye and offered his city to the MIT Challenger kids. We are thrilled that the mayor of Malden has so enthusiastically welcomed us into his city. The mayor has invited us to meet with him to go over the details and has offered all the city’s resources to make it happen. More details on Challenger Day will be announced when the details are finalized.
The MIT will be held from August 4th through August 22nd at Pollard Field in Billerica. Challenger Day will be held on August 19th at Bruce Field in Malden.
Further details to follow.
– Submitted by MIT President and CEO, Ron Giovino