Sandlot Baseball a Home Run for Area Kids

Last week the players of the free Summer Sandlot program thought it would be their last game of the five-week program, but because of the popularity and a team effort by area organizations, businesses and the Attleboro Recreation Department, it will continue for a few more weeks, according to Attleboro City Councilor Duff White.

White initiated the Summer Sandlot program, a free program that gives Attleboro boys and girls ages 8-12 the chance to play baseball. 

The program has been a success because of the many people involved, including folks from the City's Recreation Department, Attleboro Youth Baseball and City Councilor Walter Thibodeau. 

With the help of the Attleboro Recreation Department, a total of 75 players in the program have been able to play on the maintained fields. 

"The recreation department has been invaluable," White said. "By adjusting the weekly scheduled maintenance when possible, the kids have been able to play on freshly mowed fields and often times, freshly dragged fields. 

"When a tweak to the schedule was possible, they were accommodating," he added. "Instead of cutting Hayward field on a Tuesday and Poncin-Hewitt on Wednesday, when the schedule would allow, the days would be flipped."

Attleboro Youth Baseball has helped out by providing helmets and bases. Dunkin Donuts on South Main Street has supported the program by donating Dunkin Dollars, which enabled the players to get a cold drink after the game.

"The children have had minimal arguments and those that have arisen have been about safe or out calls on plays, and peacefully resolved by the kids," White said in a prepared statement. "So the program continues next week and possibly beyond as long as we can arrange chaperons and the kids keep showing up to play."