Challengers League holds closing ceremonies

Jacob Marrocco
Posted 8/18/15

The Rhode Island Challengers League came together at Warwick National Field on Wednesday to hold closing ceremonies for the seven teams and more than 100 athletes involved in the organization.

The …

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Challengers League holds closing ceremonies

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The Rhode Island Challengers League came together at Warwick National Field on Wednesday to hold closing ceremonies for the seven teams and more than 100 athletes involved in the organization.

The Challengers League, per its official website, “allows kids with disabilities to enjoy the benefits of baseball team participation.” The League is comprised of seven teams, including Riverside A and B, Warwick North and South (American), Central Coventry, East Greenwich and Cranston West (Coastway Community Bank).

Games consist of two non-competitive innings where every player on each team earns a chance to bat. The players also receive assistance at the plate and in the field from a buddy.

For the closing games of the season, Warwick North combined with East Greenwich to face Warwick South. Cranston West joined forces with Central Coventry against the Riverside squads.

“They’re very excited to be out here,” Cranston West manager Joe Corso, whose son Thomas is on his team, said. “They enjoy playing. This is my first year back with the Challengers. I had been the director for about seven years. I left for the past couple years, came back and it’s a great experience.”

Once all the at-bats were finished, the seven teams convened on one field for the presentation of their medals. The KC Cats cheerleaders and mascot joined the players and coaches on the field to cheer as names and teams were announced.

Pilgrim student Cameron Small arranged the event as part of his senior project, securing the best fields and extra parking for the hundreds in attendance.

“In class, I heard [Warwick North assistant coach and Pilgrim teacher Jason Huddon] bring it up and I kinda jumped on the opportunity to work with the kids because my mom is a teacher and she teaches around these groups of kids,” Small, who plays baseball for Pilgrim, said about why he decided to pursue the closing ceremonies for his senior project. “So I figured it would be a great thing to get into.”

Fellow Patriot Samantha Smith helped with the fundraising aspect of the ceremonies, including the 50/50 raffle.

The players for Warwick South who took part in the closing ceremonies were Domenic Paolella, Nick Justo, Molly Smith, Zach Gauthier, Frankie Gauthier, Danielle Roberts, Rachael Ghigliotty, Zach Fontain, Becca Seamans, Nick Gonnella, Katie Branca, Josh Lyons and Holly Flurry.

The Warwick North players present for the event were James Allenson, Madisyn Avella, Eric Carter, Evan Huddon, Allison Parker, Audrey Vicente, Emily Taul, Aubrie Yuettner, Jessica Yuettner, Rienne Yuettner, Christopher Yuettner, Jared Yuettner, Cameron Cochran, Olivia Hauke and Maxim O’Neil.

Cranston West’s representatives were Robert Drohan, Alexander Torelli, Damien Ross, Davon Ross, Aidan Sencer, Ashley Garcia, Petey Megrdichian, Thomas Corso and Jamie Horton. Not present for Cranston West were Nicholas Cioe, Jayson Martinez, Ryan Blake and Spencer Sampson.

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