Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Taunton Wiffle Ball tournament to aid PTO programs
YBN-
TAUNTON Ñ While many have dreamed of playing baseball in Fenway Park, most won't get the chance to play in the major leagues.
But if you live in Taunton, there is a chance that you can play ball near the city's version of the Green Monster. Not baseball exactly, but close.
On Saturday, the Parker Middle School Parent/Teacher Organization is hosting a Wiffle Ball tournament on Taunton High School grounds, which will be transformed into a replica Green Monster field for the day.
The proceeds from the event will benefit the Parker Middle School PTO and be used for anything from school events to subsidizing the cost of field trips.
Teams of middle school students, high school students and adults are welcome to participate.
"We thought it would be a different way to get the whole community involved," said PTO member Phil Johnson, who organized the fundraiser.
Using a past game as his inspiration, Johnson modeled the tournament on one he played in years ago with his sons in Boston.
The Johnson family played ball at the Hynes Convention Center on a replica of the Fenway Park field around the time of the 1999 Red Sox All-Star game.
"It was a lot of fun," he said.
Johnson wanted to give Taunton fans a chance to play ball alongside the Green Monster. So he and PTO member Steve Daniel are constructing a 10- by 24-foot version of the famed left-field wall for Saturday's tournament.
"Most people aren't going to be able to play at Fenway Park," Johnson said. "This is a unique opportunity."
Winning teams will receive trophies at the end of the day. And official wiffleball rules will be used in this double-elimination tournament.
The day's events will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The games will be played in teams of four. Teams can consist of all men, all women or be intramural. No divisions will play against each other and every team will get the chance to play in at least two games.
The cost to register is $20 per middle school or high school team and $40 per adult team. General admission is $1.
Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Johnson said he hopes they will raise at least $1,500 for the PTO.
By Tessa Fitzgerald, Enterprise correspondent&nbs ¶ 11:07 PM
TAUNTON Ñ While many have dreamed of playing baseball in Fenway Park, most won't get the chance to play in the major leagues.
But if you live in Taunton, there is a chance that you can play ball near the city's version of the Green Monster. Not baseball exactly, but close.
On Saturday, the Parker Middle School Parent/Teacher Organization is hosting a Wiffle Ball tournament on Taunton High School grounds, which will be transformed into a replica Green Monster field for the day.
The proceeds from the event will benefit the Parker Middle School PTO and be used for anything from school events to subsidizing the cost of field trips.
Teams of middle school students, high school students and adults are welcome to participate.
"We thought it would be a different way to get the whole community involved," said PTO member Phil Johnson, who organized the fundraiser.
Using a past game as his inspiration, Johnson modeled the tournament on one he played in years ago with his sons in Boston.
The Johnson family played ball at the Hynes Convention Center on a replica of the Fenway Park field around the time of the 1999 Red Sox All-Star game.
"It was a lot of fun," he said.
Johnson wanted to give Taunton fans a chance to play ball alongside the Green Monster. So he and PTO member Steve Daniel are constructing a 10- by 24-foot version of the famed left-field wall for Saturday's tournament.
"Most people aren't going to be able to play at Fenway Park," Johnson said. "This is a unique opportunity."
Winning teams will receive trophies at the end of the day. And official wiffleball rules will be used in this double-elimination tournament.
The day's events will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The games will be played in teams of four. Teams can consist of all men, all women or be intramural. No divisions will play against each other and every team will get the chance to play in at least two games.
The cost to register is $20 per middle school or high school team and $40 per adult team. General admission is $1.
Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Johnson said he hopes they will raise at least $1,500 for the PTO.
By Tessa Fitzgerald, Enterprise correspondent&nbs ¶ 11:07 PM
