Members of the Cheshire Challengers Little League recently headed to the big league for batting practice with the Red Sox.
"I was speechless when I found out that our team had been selected for this incredible opportunity at Fenway Park," said Challenger coach John Bouteiller. “I knew how much our players would enjoy this and how excited they would be upon hearing this news," he said in a statement.
Here is the roster of Challenger players and friends who participated:
- Brent Bouteiller
- John Paul Goshdigian
- Zak Mahoney
- Evan Chymbor
- Sam Hayden
- Dale Canale
- Anthony Valente
- John Brixner (Hamden)
- Sean Chamberland (Wolcott)
- Danielle Skudzienski
- Matthew Skudzienski
The players worked with Boston Red Sox Hitting Coach Dave Magadan who showed participants the best way to grip the bat. The team also took swings at the Green Monster and stopped to eat lunch in the Red Sox dugout. The day camp was only offered on nine days this season.
The event also included a VIP tour of Fenway Park and tickets to the evening’s game. This is the eighth year CVS Caremark and the Boston Red Sox have offered the event. This year's activities were particularly memorable, the statement noted, because it's Fenway Park’s 100th anniversary season.
“Providing this opportunity for children of all abilities from across New England to experience baseball at America’s favorite ballpark is so worthwhile," said Eileen Howard Boone, senior vice president of corporate communications and community relations for CVS Caremark. "It’s great to see the expressions on the kids’ faces as they interact with Coach Magadan and connect with the ball.”
Learn more about the Cheshire Little League Challenger Division which began in 1989.
