Homers for Hiltzy Jr.

This Saturday, Tony along with the boys of MNBL hosted a home run derby to benefit one of their own. Brian Hiltz tragically lost his 6-year-old son, Brian Jr. in August. So incredibly heartbreaking, I cannot even comprehend what kind of hell it is to lose a child. Life is so fragile.

The benefit was to help offset the costs of the services, and anything extra raised would go to The Make A Wish Foundation. Tony really stepped up and took the reigns on planning this with a few other members of the league. It took many hours and effort, and it showed. I'm so proud of him. And I truly appreciate and admire our community for coming together in support of a local family. In the face of such sadness, it gives me the warm 'n fuzzies.




Tony pitching to his dad.





Tony was a trooper and the first one to volunteer for the dunk tank.


This girl and her friend were out for blood!


He got a little wet.




We're not sure exactly how many people were there, but we'd say at least 300 or so. Tons of little kids, bouncy house, dunk tank, raffle, etc. The homerun derby had about 90 participants ranging in age from 5 to 60 years old. It was a fantastic, fun family event, and they hope to repeat it each year.

Great event. Well done, boys.

The Boys of Summer

One of my favorite parts of summer is baseball. (So cliche, right?) I'll watch it at any level, any day... Little League to the Majors and everything in between. I wouldn't be a true Boston native if I didn't live for the Red Sox. One of Tony and my first dates was at Fenway. And hi, have you met my husband? He's a lil' cuckoo. One year he went to every.. single.. Sox home game. Free of charge.

I should make him post that story some time.

Truth be told, my favorite games are Tony's. He's been playing in a mens night baseball league for 8 years. My bro-in-law Nick and some other friends play in the same league. All the games are played at a beautiful field less than a mile from our house. I'll usually walk down with an insulated mug full of wine and spend an evening chilling with my sissah Janet at the field.

Tony's always telling me to get a hobby. Is it wrong that I consider this one? Okay, I joined a book club, get off my back.

It may or may not be totally coincidental that there will also be wine at book club.

This year I've only been able to attend a few games due to the early bedtime of He Who Runs Our Lives. But it is so fun bringing Des down to the field. Even if he doesn't quite understand what's going on yet. I made him a cute little outfit to show daddy some support:





This year my cousin Justin has also joined the league. He plays on the same team as Nick (The Green Shamrocks), and they are holding strong in first place due in large part to their new ace.

The night the Crush played the Shamrocks, a bunch of the Cawley clan made the trek up north of the tunnel to see the boys play.






Photos courtesy my sister Deanna.

The bad guys won (green), but it was still a fun night.

As everyone talks about the end of summer, I think about the end of the season and how much I'll miss taking Des down to the field as a baby. Next year he'll be walking with me and want to play on the swings.

And I'll have to make a bigger t-shirt!