THE NRHS baseball team hosted the Boston Strong, a blind baseball team in a beep baseball game at Carey Park on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — On Sept. 23, the North Reading High baseball team played against the Adaptive Sports New England Boston Strong team in a beep baseball game at North Reading High School.
The Boston Strong squad is a blind team made up of kids and adults so the North Reading High players were blindfolded having to use their other senses to play just like the Boston Strong squad.
This is the second year of the event led by longtime North Reading resident, Marco Vittozzi, who also coaches the North Reading Northeast baseball team over the summer.
“The event turned out great,” said Vittozzi. “Both teams enjoyed the experience and the North Reading High players showed great respect for the Boston Strong team.”
The game lasted four innings and resulted in a 4-4 tie.
“As soon as the pizzas arrived, the game was over,” joked Vittozzi as the North Reading Little League organization donated the pizzas for lunch.
The North Reading players had to learn how to hit a beeping ball and run to beeping bases.
“It was a great opportunity for them to learn how to use those other senses to play,” pointed out Vittozzi, who coached a North Reading softball team last year in Burlington in a beep game. “They also gained a great appreciation for what the Boston Strong team does.”
Vittozzi wanted to give thanks to many supporters of the event including the Lava family, the Rosatone family, the Wyatt family, Andrew DeStafano and Grace Fagner.
He also wanted to thank North Reading High baseball coach Eric Archambault and all of the fans that came out to watch.
“We plan to host them again next year,” said Vittozzi.
The Boston Strong are members of the National Beep Baseball Association and have competed in New York and Philadelphia, along with towns across the state this year.
