Published in the July 7, 2016 edition
NRLL CHALLENGER TEAM members were delighted by a visit from Wally the Green Monster and a private tour of Fenway Park. (Courtesy Photo)
BOSTON— The North Reading Challenger Baseball Team made memories that will last a lifetime during their recent visit to Fenway Park. The Challenger Division has been a part of Little League Baseball since 1989 and allows kids with special needs to enjoy the game of baseball along with the millions of other children who participate in the sport worldwide. North Reading Little League has sponsored the division for the past three years, with its numbers tripling since the program was introduced.
North Reading was selected to attend the CVS Health Hitting Clinic on Tuesday, June 21, at Fenway. It was a full day at the park, where, upon arrival, the players were greeted by their CVS Health hosts and Boston Red Sox concierge. Players were given backpacks, T–shirts and name tags and then escorted to the Red Sox dugout. From there, a private hitting lesson by current Red Sox hitting coaches Chili Davis and Victor Rodriguez took place. The coaches interacted with players and their families for nearly two hours, including photo opportunities at the Green Monster and the morning activities concluded at home plate, where each Challenger player took live batting practice on the field.
HANDS–ON INSTRUCTION. Challenger Team member Heather Wilde gets personal instruction from Red Sox hitting coach Chili Davis when the North Reading Little League Challenger Team visited Fenway Park. (Courtesy Photo)
After lunch and a visit from Red Sox mascot Wally The Green Monster, the team was treated to a private tour of Fenway Park. The afternoon session included a VIP viewing of Red Sox batting practice from behind home plate. Players interacted with Red Sox stars such as Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts and Hanley Ramirez as they prepared for their evening game vs. the Chicago White Sox.
Capping off this once–in–a–lifetime event was the game itself, to which the North Reading Challenger Team received 50 complimentary tickets courtesy of CVS Health and the Red Sox.
NRLL President Eddie Madden shared his enthusiasm for the event, saying, “The CVS Health Hitting Clinic was the capstone to another great Challenger season. Our players and families worked hard and to finish the year with an event like this was truly special. We are grateful to CVS Health and the Red Sox for this first-class experience.”
