Published in the July 19, 2017 edition
THE JIMMY FUND wiffle ball home run derby at Fernald Field on Sunday was a huge success. Pictured here are participants and Wakefield Little League coaches surrounding a sign for Honey Dew Donuts, a major sponsor for Wakefield Little League. (Dan Pawlowski Photo)
WAKEFIELD — Fernald Field could barely contain the long shots hit by Wakefield residents at the Wakefield Little League Jimmy Fund wiffle ball home run derby on Sunday. The derby was open to all ages and included a radar pitching machine, music, raffles, food, prizes and trophies for the winners. All Proceeds went to the Jimmy Fund.
Many players from Wakefield Little League participated in the event, and all contributed to the Jimmy Fund. Ralph D’Alleva and many other Wakefield Little League coaches contributed to the organization of the event.
Wakefield also has six teams participating in the Jimmy Fund Little League. According to jimmyfund.org: “Jimmy Fund Little League co-presented by Extra Innings and Franklin Sports, provides more than 5,000 little league baseball and softball players throughout New England the chance to continue playing after their regular season ends by fundraising and participating in local tournaments.
Off the field, these players take to their communities to raise vital funds for the Jimmy Fund, while learning the importance of philanthropy and volunteerism, and that they, too, can make a difference in the fight against cancer.
Help strike out cancer by participating or supporting Jimmy Fund Little League.
Since 1987, the hard work and winning spirit of the coaches, parents and, most importantly, the players, have raised nearly $5 million for the Jimmy Fund.”
Wakefield fielded two teams to participate in the league last summer, and with six this summer, is providing an excellent opportunity for more and more young players to work on their game, and more importantly, understand the value of giving back to a meaningful cause.
If you would like to support a player on a Wakefield Jimmy Fund team, please go to www.jimmyfundlittleleague.org.
Here are the champions of the Jimmy Fund wiffle ball home run derby, followed by a list of all participants:
ROOKIE – Taylor Miller
MINORS – Chase Collins
MAJORS 1 – David Amyouny
MAJORS 2 – Charles Gagne
MAJORS 11/12 – Anthony Sorrentino
MAJORS 9/10 – Marc Gagne
SENIOR – James Christie
ADULTS – Donnie Collins
All participants: Ian Christie, Patrick Goodwin, Ian Dixon, Luke Dixon, John Fitzgerald, Cole Reeves, Sean O’Rourke, Sean Newman, Matt Shay, Jason Willis, Javin Willis, Matt McDonald, Graham Swanson, Alex Tracey, Ryan Tracey, Jaxson Pace, Jason Pace, Steven Woish, John Jenkins, Shane McLaughlin, Chris Monroe, Marcus Conte, Juliana Conte, Philip D’Alleva, Tommy Grover, Owen Riddell, Brody Kingsley, Anthony DiGiorgio, Tony Hegarty, Timmy Hegarty, William Flynn, Vinny DiGiorgio, Tom Laspina, Max Laspina, Michael Yanokopolis, Catherine Goodwin, Kaden Olson, Callie Olson, Cam Deprizio, Nate Deprizio, Jolie Olson, Cameron Miller, James Maloney, Patrick Maloney, Ryan McCarthy, Brady McCarthy, William Roberson, Dylan Wickwire, Jason Wickwire, Finn Wilson, Bryce Olson, Jacob Robblee, Cam Jaena, Vincent Kaddaras, Zachary Laverdure, Evan Bernardo, Chris Amyouny, Chuck Reeves, Jay Tracey, Chris Christie, Mike Grover, Jay Willis, Mat Gagne, Mark Baumhardt, Toby Laspina, Scott Shay and Ralph D’Alleva.
