24-hour baseball fundraiser a swinging success
After a full day of continuous play, Wareham’s first ever 24-hour marathon baseball game finished strong on Sunday.
Event organizer Chris Thornell said the event raised an estimated $20,000 for the Wareham Little League and the Mia Hamm Foundation. The money raised will go toward replacing bleachers and build a playground area at the Little League complex on Charge Pond Road.
"It was spectacular. The kids, coaches, and parents... everyone participated," Thornell said.
Thornell said he hopes to make the 24-hour marathon baseball an annual Memorial Day weekend event.
"The kids want to know when we can do it again," he said.
The game started at noon on Saturday, May 28. Nearly 350 Wareham Little Leaguers came to play and camp out on the baseball field.
At 4 a.m. the game was still going strong. In the wee hours of the morning, adults put the kids to bed in tents and started their own games.
"We played baseball, kickball, and Wiffle Ball to keep going," said mother Heather Galliker. "After this we're sleeping in!"
Eleven-year-old Gabrielle Brightman, who stayed awake to watch, said she was amazed by the participants' commitment. "I can't believe they're still playing," she said.
Wareham’s marathon game continued straight through the night until Sunday, May 29 at 1 p.m.
"It's been a blast," said mother Heather MacGreor at 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon. "The kids couldn't wait for this weekend."
In between the little league match-ups, MacGreor's seven-year-old son Duncan participated in a home run derby.
"It was great," Ducan said. "I practiced a lot. ... Today was awesome."
Each Little League team swapped out every nine innings during the one continuous game to allow all the teams a chance to play.
The event featured face painting, a dunk tank, food, a sports memorabilia silent auction, raffles, concerts, and more.
The top incentive prize for the players who have been working to raise money is lunch with a guest: Red Sox great Nomar Garciaparra. Cooper Thornell, 12, and Riley Thornell, 8, were the top fundraisers, earning them a seat next to Garicaparra at the lunch. Each raised close to $900. The top 10 fundraisers will be seated at his table.
The event was sponsored by Dunkin Donuts and E.L. Morse Lumber.