Challenger Day a win-win at Ginty Field in Morris Township

From left to right, Buddies, Ryan Edson, Abby Edson, Kaitlyn Garrett, Quinn Galligan, with MCCLL Pirate players, Stephanie Bertram and Maryrita were ready to show off their wheels in their game against the MCCLL Yankees. Photo by Maryanne Saxon May 22, 2016
From left to right, Buddies, Ryan Edson, Abby Edson, Kaitlyn Garrett, Quinn Galligan, with MCCLL Pirate players, Stephanie Bertram and Maryrita were ready to show off their wheels in their game against the MCCLL Yankees. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
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High fives and hot dogs mark the end of another successful Challenger Day for MAALL Baseball. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
High fives and hot dogs mark the end of another successful Challenger Day for MAALL Baseball. Photo by Maryanne Saxon

By Maryanne Saxon

Last weekend’s soggy forecast put a damper on many picnics, graduation parties and Little League games. Many party planners and coaches decided to play it safe and preemptively canceled outside activities.

Thankfully, Kelly Cochrane, Morristown Area American Little League volunteer and organizer for this year’s Challenger Day, is a betting woman. She knew what the weatherman was predicting, yet held off canceling the annual event. Mother Nature rewarded her gamble: The washout that never was did not interfere with Sunday’s fun.

With the help of an early morning cleanup crew and a bunch of towel  (Saturday night’s rainfall did leave a few puddles), the fields at the Ginty Baseball Complex in Morris Township were dry and ready for MAALL’s 2016 Challenger Day.

A player and fan favorite, Sunday’s event welcomed players from the Morris County Challenger League to buddy up and play ball with MAALL players.

Challenger Day organizer Kelly Cochrane making nice with one of the umpires before the game. If anyone can hold back the rains in a ball game… it’s the guy in blue! Photo by Maryanne Saxon  May 22, 2016
Challenger Day organizer Kelly Cochrane making nice with one of the umpires before the game. If anyone can hold back the rains in a ball game… it’s the guy in blue! Photo by Maryanne Saxon

 

New pond in town? Nope… a pic of Ginty Field around 7 am Sunday before the Challenger game. Miracle working MAALL volunteers had the field play-worthy by the 2 pm game. Photo by Maryanne Saxon  May 22, 2016
New pond in town? Nope… a pic of Ginty Field around 7 am Sunday before the Challenger game. Miracle working MAALL volunteers had the field play-worthy by the 2 pm game. Photo by Maryanne Saxon

Mike Bertram, president of the Morris County Challenger League (MCCLL), said this was not the first time crummy forecasts tried to mess with game time. Recently, it seems like Mother Nature has gotten much more field time than the MCCLL ballplayers.

“Unfortunately, it has been a slow season because of all the rain. All the leagues are backed up and trying to make up rainouts, which means our schedule is affected and we also lose some of our buddies because they are off playing in their own makeup games,” shared Bertram.

“That being said, Morristown had a great turnout today! Perfect amount of buddies helping our players. Too many buddies make for crowded dugouts and overcrowded infields. What’s nice about today, each player has a buddy and great connections are being made.

“My favorite part of the game is watching the relationships grow between the buddies and players. They learn each other’s names, cheer for their team and by the end of the game new friendships have developed.”

 

From left to right, Buddies, Ryan Edson, Abby Edson, Kaitlyn Garrett, Quinn Galligan, with MCCLL Pirate players, Stephanie Bertram and Maryrita were ready to show off their wheels in their game against the MCCLL Yankees. Photo by Maryanne Saxon  May 22, 2016
From left to right, Buddies, Ryan Edson, Abby Edson, Kaitlyn Garrett, Quinn Galligan, with MCCLL Pirate players, Stephanie Bertram and Maryrita were ready to show off their wheels in their game against the MCCLL Yankees. Photo by Maryanne Saxon

 

MCCLL Coach Thom Butler managed the Ginty 2 field during Sunday’s event. “It is always so fun. A win-win for everyone involved. Having these guys all play together builds respect and appreciation,” said the smiling coach after he had awarded high fives to each and every player.

MCCLL Mets player,Daniel and MAALL player Adam Bain buddied up to play a great game against the MCCLL A’s. Photo by Maryanne Saxon  May 22, 2016
MCCLL Mets player,Daniel and MAALL player Adam Bain buddied up to play a great game against the MCCLL A’s. Photo by Maryanne Saxon

 

A bunch of buddies in the dugout. Photo by Maryanne Saxon  May 22, 2016
A bunch of buddies in the dugout. Photo by Maryanne Saxon

 

Mother Nature may not have been a heavy hitter this weekend, but the same can’t be said about MCCLL players. All of the games produced some powerful slugging.

In fact, word around the field…some fans are encouraging MAALL to expand its player pool to include sluggers from the Challenger league. Playoffs are coming up – could make things a bit more interesting if powerhouse MCCLL players subbed in a few games.

MCCLL Mets player Kellie knocks one out of the infield as her MAALL buddy looks on with encouragement. MAALL board member, Alice Bain and Coach Andrinopoulos had the honor of handing out medals to players and buddies. Photo by Maryanne Saxon  May 22, 2016
MCCLL Mets player Kellie knocks one out of the infield as her MAALL buddy looks on with encouragement. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
MAALL board member, Alice Bain and Coach Andrinopoulos had the honor of handing out medals to players and buddies. Photo by Maryanne Saxon
MAALL board member, Alice Bain and Coach Andrinopoulos had the honor of handing out medals to players and buddies. Photo by Maryanne Saxon

 

Other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love.~ Bryant Gumbel

1 COMMENT

  1. THANK YOU to all the MAALL volunteers, coaches, players and umpires who hosted the Challenger League games on Sunday!! You are all wonderful; we had a great afternoon of baseball.

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