THE 2023 CHALLENGER Baseball squad from left to right: Molly Preston, Kevin Melendez Jr., Ethan Walker, Aaron McNeil (kneeling), Jeremiah Doucette, Mikaela Livick-Munafo, Coach Paul, Kaley Chiarelli, Caitlin Soroko, Nicholas Melendez, Grace Gulino, TJ Malone and Kevin Blake. (Mary Sylvia Photo)
By PAUL PAGLIERANI
WAKEFIELD — The last minute call to move “The Big Game” from Saturday morning to Sunday, June 24, was just one of many great decisions from Wakefield’s Challenger Baseball League this season. Sunday’s bright blue skies, and the knowledge that we’d dodged Saturday’s gloomy, overcast bullet, made Fernald Field shine a little brighter for the season finale. [That, and some groundskeeping help from Little League President Bryan Fabbri.]
The Big Game had a big turnout, with friends and family following Aaron McNeil’s
recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance from memory, then treated to Emma Buxton’s lovely a cappella version of the National Anthem. The game had the same athleticism and competitive spirit as any baseball game, plus the qualities fans have come to associate with Challenger games in particular: community, family support, kindness, and affection. Nowhere in sports are there as many hugs and high-fives as at a Challenger game.
But it’s what the Big Game- and the whole Challenger season, for that matter- didn’t
have that makes it the preferred sports experience for so many:
EGOS. No one jockeyed for position in the batting order, expressed disappointment
when someone else took a coveted spot in the field, or groused about team placement.
NEGATIVITY. No player complained when tagged out or lost his cool if a hit went
past the glove and through the legs. Not a single call was contested.
IMPATIENCE. Do you know how remarkable it is to hear the same encouraging words shouted to teammates whether they’re swinging for the third time or the 33rd, before connecting with a pitch? Jeremiah Doucette, a big hitter, solid fielder, and even nicer kid from Reading, waited an entire season before politely and shyly asking if he could try pitching. The whole season. I encouraged him to approach us earlier next year with requests, while silently aspiring to that level of patience.
A DULL MOMENT. Even when technical play is slow, count on another player
dancing to some nearby music, telling a joke, or starting a random pickle to keep things interesting. Volunteers and players stood side-by-side in the field and learned about each other: Kaley Chiarelli is taking cooking classes; Mikaela Munafo gushed about her nephew Jayden; TJ Malone filled us in on graphic arts classes at Salem State.
POOR SPORTSMANSHIP. There’s exactly one player who cares about the game
score, Aaron, and it’s because he’s a math whiz. Aaron has a clever and quick mind that comes up with teams to match the shirt colors and creates narratives linking the day’s Challenger game with college sports. That’s why after the orange and blue shirts were distributed, the Big Game became the Tennessee Volunteers vs. the Florida Gators. Beyond that, players are competitive, but there’s no hard feelings over a loss or an error. If one player passes another, slower teammate during base running, everyone has a good laugh about it and it becomes a game of tag.
Rookie of the year, Nick Melendez from Saugus, was the first one to show to the Big
Game, as he’d done for every other session. He was an instant highlight of the season, and his optimism and energy made him immediate friends with Challenger veterans and volunteers. I’d often leave the field saying I need more people like Nick in my life; Sunday’s end of season wrap was no exception, except this time I could see Nick and his teammates carrying trophies.